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The Watersons




The Watersons were an English folk group from Hull in Yorkshire . They performed mainly traditional songs with little or no accompaniment. Their distinctive sound comes from their closely-woven harmonies.

Original members were Norma , Mike , and Lal Waterson, with their cousin John Harrison from Kingston High School . They had a Skiffle band in the early 1960s but moved on to playing more traditional material. They were briefly known as "The Folksons".

Their first album was ''Frost and Fire'' 1965 followed by ''The Watersons'' and ''A Yorkshire Garland'' in 1966. The Watersons split up in 1968 when Norma went to work as a Disc Jockey on a radio station on Montserrat .

The group reformed in 1972 with John Harrison briefly replaced by Bernie Vickers. He in turn was replaced the same year by Norma's husband and respected folk singer in his own right Martin Carthy . This lineup recorded ''For Pence and Spicy Ale'' 1975 , ''Sound, Sound Your Instruments of Joy'' 1977 , and ''Green Fields'' 1981 .

Later lineups featured and the Watersons gradually ceased to sing live on a regular basis.


DISCOGRAPHY

  • ''Frost and Fire: A Calendar of Ceremonial Folk Songs'' 1965

  • ''A Yorkshire Garland'' 1966

  • ''The Watersons'' 1966

  • ''For Pence and Spicy Ale'' 1975

  • ''Sound, Sound, Your Instruments Of Joy'' 1977

  • ''Green Fields'' 1981

  • ''Mighty River of Song'' (boxed set) 2004