Offa Rex- Willie o’ Winsbury REACTION & REVIEW

[@thomassharmer7127]

What a lovely voice and a beautiful version of this unusual traditional ballad. I've never heard of them, and this is my kind of thing, so thanks for the heads up. BTW the band's name means 'King Offa' in Latin. He was a ruler of one of the early Anglo-Saxon kingdoms (Mercia) that were later united to become England.

[@delorangeade]

It's a beautiful melody. Richard Thompson of Fairport Convention used this tune for his lament, Farewell Farewell, which is also worth listening to. I thought you might have already heard this song performed by Pentangle? I would add to the suggestion of Late November by Sandy Denny as well.

[@bobholtzmann]

I was just listening to "Farewell, Farewell", and the rest of the Lieg and Lief 1969 album by Fairport Convention. A landmark album in English Folk Rock, which influenced other groups like Led Zeppelin.

[@suzannelawson9215]

My favourite versions of this song are by Pentangle with the great voice of Jacqui McShee and my other favourite is by the late Irish folksinger, Anne Bryne. Not a well known artist, but Anne Byrne has an absolute stunning voice. Could you please do a review of Anne Byrne singing this song? She recorded the song on a 1960's folk album in Ireland. You can hear it on KZbin. Thanks.

[@terrybnad2959]

This is pretty gorgeous, but funny you should mention Pentangle because they did this song back in 1972 on their final album, Solomon's Seal. Their live 1972 version on KZbin is even better, well worth checking out.

[@markdrechsler5660]

I didn’t know this version, but I have heard this old Scottish ballad before. Pentangle did a version on the final album by the original band.

[@encounters724]

Please check out Late November By Sandy Denny. A haunting magical voice.

[@jamespaivapaiva4460]

Sandy and Joan Baez,we're to me, the First Ladies of folk, as a kid in the sixties! Great song and recommendation!

[@cosmiccat6708]

This was so beautiful, it transported me to a small mountaintop, a hillock, if you will [ock], where a gentle, warm breeze did blow and all was quiet, save for the gentle strains of this musical piece. Lyrically great too. Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone. A lovely tune, to be sure.🍀

[@sunetverster4696]

That's one of my favourite Brit folk songs. I heard it first by Pentangle

[@jockeyshortz84]

Hope you you have heard Pentangle's version

[@maruad7577]

Beautiful song.

[@russellhoward3866]

Berry brown, I like that. It's a deep color.

[@RGRG3232]

LOL Justin...I never really paid attention to the lyrics...they are not what I expected. Thanks for fitting this in...quite frankly I was never expecting you to have the time. The Decembrists are a great and underappreciated band.

[@lbd-po7cl]

I’ve heard many versions of this song, but not this one. Anne Briggs, John Renbourne, Pentangle, Martin Simpson, Dick Goughan, and more). This was gorgeous, and I’ll certainly be checking out this band. As someone mentioned, Richard Thompson used the tune as the base for his song Farewell, Farewell, on Fairport Convention’s album Liege and Lief, with Sandy Denny on vocals - well worth listening to. In fact, you really must listen to some Richard Thompson himself - maybe 1952 Vincent Black Lightning from the album Rumor and Sigh (then explore the rest of that album). You won’t regret it.

[@thetek2006]

There is a great solo version of this by Richard Thompson but my favourite version is by Anne Briggs. It really is such a beautiful melody.

[@jamespaivapaiva4460]

👍Did I not say this is the most fearless reactor/reviewer on KZbin!😁 You're a good Folk, Justin! The others are just St. Patrick green with envy! ✌️&♥️

[@murdockreviews]

Lovely!

[@marysweeney7370]

I liked this version and I have not heard it before. Have you heard Sweeney's Men sing Willie O'Winsbury? I only ran across it when I read that one of the Gallagher brothers (Oasis) in an interview said they used to hear Sweeney's Men in their youth and cited it as an influence. So I checked out Sweeney's Men and loved their version with Andy Irvine singing. Maybe people have also mentioned Pentangle's version too? Very excellent. One can never have to many good versions to enjoy! Thanks! P.S. I hope to suggest some great tunes next St. Paddy's day for you!

[@sicko_the_ew]

If you want to follow that up with some more recent American folk music (complete with xylophone - like in the olden days), I'd suggest *Gone Daddy Gone* by *The Violent Femmes* kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXmwe3hmp8iVbq8 (It's no symphony, but packs in quite a lot in shortish amount of time.) (Most things are no symphony, hey? So why say so? Oh well ... )

[@sicko_the_ew]

OTOH, if you want to hear *Kings X* in a more experimental mode (with a bit of rap wrapped into Beatles metal) then *Smudge* on their album *Please Come Home Mr. Bulbous* might be what you want. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHrSdZuwfMqNiNE *Marsh Mellow Field* also visits some of their Outlands. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zn26mKJ8rrypa7s I heard in a review that at this point in time their label let them free, and they took advantage of this to just do whatever pleased them, without bothering to try to match it to some market segment.

[@kevind4850]

"Oh, you're kind of fine, Willie!" Do I perceive a budding lyricist? Actually, I can sort of see that take as the start of something to which I'd also give a listen.

[@ron88303]

This was good.

[@2visiondigital]

Down the rabbit hole. One could spend a lifetime on this song or Reynardine or She Moved Through the Fair. I defer to Jacqui McShee and Pentangle's version although many are worthy.

[@jfergs.3302]

Never heard of these/this, but if we have to trawl through the rest of this disc I hope they're packin' more up their sleeves. I found this insipid, samey, and nondescript. This's the problem of rehashing these centuries old songs, it's all in the tale, the music taking a (very very) back seat. In conclusion, deathly dull.

[@RGRG3232]

LOL...I have to laugh as you always go right for the jugular. I had another song in mind..."insomnia" by Cellar Darling which is quite a bit more dynamic, the only Irish thing about it, though, is the singer's name - Anna Murphy. If you don't know the song, it may get your approval. It is a wild ride.

[@jfergs.3302]

@@RGRG3232 I'll add it to my playlist. I'm all for something with a bit more dynamism than this dirge, cheers.