Ballads and Songs
Nic Jones · 1970
34 min · 9 tracks · traditional folk music
Traditional folk melodies intertwine with evocative storytelling, creating an intimate and immersive listening experience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Sir Patrick Spens — This track exemplifies Jones' ability to weave intricate melodies with a haunting narrative, showcasing his skill as both a singer and storyteller.
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Annan Water — The lengthy arrangement allows for deep emotional expression, with Jones' guitar work enhancing the song's somber themes of love and loss.
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Little Musgrave — This ballad stands out for its complex narrative structure and dramatic tension, illustrating Jones’ talent for interpreting age-old stories with fresh vibrancy.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and skilled guitar work, contributing to its lasting appeal in folk music.
What we noticed
- The album features intricate fingerstyle guitar playing that complements the storytelling in each track.
- Each song is presented with a consistent structure, often following traditional verse-chorus forms typical of folk music.
- Jones' vocal delivery is intimate and conversational, drawing listeners into the narratives of the songs.
- Several tracks incorporate subtle variations in tempo and dynamics, enhancing the emotional impact of the stories.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Sir Patrick Spens 3:55
- 2 The Butcher and the Tailor's Wife 1:54
- 3 The Duke of Marlborough 4:11
- 4 Annan Water 7:12
- 5 The Noble Lord Hawkins 2:18
- 6 Don't You Be Foolish, Pray 1:34
- 7 The Outlandish Knight 4:20
- 8 Reynard the Fox 2:21
- 9 Little Musgrave 6:25
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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