TAM LIN by Fiona Gillespie and Elliot Cole, ft. MAKARIS

TAM LIN is a 16th century ballad from the Scottish Borders, newly told in original music by Elliot Cole and Fiona Gillespie. It tells the story of Jenny, a girl who defies social expectations to turn a bad situation good, pursue an unconventional love, and then perform a daring rescue of her beloved from the fairy world.
Performed by Makaris, featuring:
Fiona Gillespie
Elliot Cole
Bradley King
Molly Netter
Alyssa Weathersby
Ben Matus
Loren Ludwig
Kivie Cahn-Lipman
Caitlin Hedge
Paul Morton
Tracy Cowart
Sian Ricketts
Dylan Greene
Karl Ronneburg
Art by A.R. Welm
Recorded by Ryan Streber at Oktaven Audio. Mastered by Christopher Botta. Video by Kevin Eikenburg and Four Ten Media. Filmed at St. Mary's on Grand in NYC - thanks, Father Andrew!

[@ianwright8154]

At first I was sceptical but this is so well done that I was enthralled. Great treatment of an underappreciated Scottish gem. A pocket opera!

[@ElliotCole]

thanks for listening!

[@emily3916]

I absolutely love this, you all did an incredible job! There was clearly a lot of love put into this, and it shows. I've listened/watched this a bunch of times, and my toddler is totally enthralled by it too. I truly hope there's more to come!

[@ElliotCole]

thanks Emily!! if you want to hear more from these folks, check out their other bands: the Chivalrous Crickets, Freelance Nun, Science Ficta

[@serapekkala8238]

I love the details on the Narrator’s costume: it implies that she’s a member of the Queen’s court as well, but has secretly been rooting for Tam and Jenny all this while. This piece is a masterwork on all fronts. Thank you all ❤️

[@serapekkala8238]

If I were Jenny’s father, I would be extremely concerned. Like, your beloved daughter has been spending lots of time in the woods recently, which is lovely, because that’s what you gave her those woods for…until you hear that her ladies’ maids have had to let her gowns out at the middle, and she’s become more quiet and anxious, and is excusing herself at breakfast and supper to run to the closestool once too often. And then when you sit her down to talk about this, she says that the father of the child is an elfin-knight (!!!) and IMMEDIATELY flees the castle in a huff ON HALLOWEEN DAY. And then you don’t see her for the whole night through until the next morning, when she comes back with a naked man riding on the back of her horse, who turns out to be Roxburgh’s lad that was supposed to have died in a hunting accident almost a decade ago. And THIS is the man your daughter has been consorting with in the woods for months. I would need a drink.

[@solaurapearl]

This is absolutely the best version of this ballad I’ve seen….

[@solaurapearl]

Really the incredible skill of all involved with this collaboration is magic. Well done!

[@ElliotCole]

@@solaurapearl thank you thank you!

[@arianabrand1153]

I'm so happy you shared this. It's amazing. Thank you!! upon re-watch, my favorite parts: -the violinist tearing it UP on her solo and the reprise/finale -the way the bassoon is an expy for Tam Lin's voice and emotions, and twines around his solos -hell yeah viola de gamba man -Elliot (I assume?) voicing the grumpy knight at the ball (love it) -Lord Jenny's Dad coming in with the incredible bass -the all-female chorus after Jenny meets Tam Lin -queen of the fairies who has such a presence she even commendeers the voice of the narrator. incredible. -everybody's makeup and costumes (whoever did Tam Lin's hair deserves an award 10/10) -Jenny!!!!!

[@ElliotCole]

thank you!!

[@andresdiaz-kirk6316]

I discovered this rendition of Tam Lin perhaps a year ago now. I always keep coming back to it. I have it downloaded on my phone to listen to me on flights. It is a rare song that can give me actual chills listening to it at times. It's a true masterwork, and it's criminal it hasn't gotten more attention. The pure effort on display is inspiring, even to a cynical irony-poisoned contrarian like me.

[@ElliotCole]

thank you thank you!

[@ellyharris4345]

lol well mr cynical that knows himself (a good thing in my books) please try the Fairport Convention version. I did not find any info about Tam lin tho I had many attempts. then about a month ago a lovely wee podcaster appeared with the myth and legends behind stories. I was stoked to see the origins etc. Then today this popped up on my feed. Love it bigtime. lol and I always get lost in the comments sections, tho dont normally respond. So churr to u m8.

[@HeathsHarleyQuinn]

I adore this! I'm intrigued by the change from Janet to Jenny, which are fundamentally from differing origins and meanings, even though ostensibly similar. The only other version I've seen from Janet is Margaret, and both names are from the same root. So it's interesting and I'd like to know why you chose to change it. But it's such a UNIQUE way to rend this particular song! It reminds me at moments of the Pentagle version and then other times it's wholly and incredibly all unto itself.

[@LaceAgeGirl]

This such a beautiful retelling of the story. I love the details - the gorgeous instruments, the magical makeup and costumes, right down to the silver tree hair pin, and hairstyles. Brilliant musicians who can also sing! The harmonies were so weirdly goosebumping at the witchy parts, the rock feel fitted and made me laugh! Each character and the narrator were perfect. I was sucked in to watch till the end, fascinated by the good lighting, camera work and overall absolutely brilliant performance! Thank you!

[@AllaBoara]

Wow!! Absolutely inspiring and beautifully creative. Thank you for respecting these old folk traditions and also contextualizing it in such a wonderful way. 👏 ❤

[@ElliotCole]

so glad you enjoyed it!

[@darcim8737]

The introduction of the fairy queen is just chills personified! this is an excellent telling of one of my favourite folk tales

[@haydennolan4768]

Ominous noon

[@patshep68]

This reminds me of Norwegian ancient music. Gorgeously evocative and haunting.

[@jacobbitinas3146]

One of the most inspiring and evocative pieces of music I’ve heard in years. WOW! And beautiful visuals to go along with the sonic aesthetic… so enjoyable. Thank you for producing such a great work!

[@ElliotCole]

Thank you for watching, Jacob!

[@hopelittwin]

wowowowowowowow!!!!

[@a-r-welm]

What an amazing Halloween treat! What a gorgeous performance from everyone involved.

[@alexrichard8582]

Simply Stunning ♥️

[@ElliotCole]

thanks Alex!

[@reencollett6835]

I wonder have they also done “The Immortal Hour”?

[@nickplaysviola]

Thoroughly enjoyed this

[@rionsanura]

oh this ripS

[@bogotta]

Well done

[@raolhooley]

Pretentious and over egged version for the chattering classes..

[@ElliotCole]

actually just a fun project for our group of friends but it's true we do chatter

[@sandrakarina4822]

Beautiful! I began searching for Tam Lin and Thomas the Rymer since i read ,,Fire and Hemlock" by Diana Wynne Jones to better understand the story but i was not expect to find something beautiful like this 💚💙🩵 i'm in love with it

[@ElliotCole]

thank you!!!