Stretching across western New York State from Lake Erie to the Hudson River, the picturesque Catskills Mountains have a rich folk song tradition. Barbara Moncure, although an Ohio native, spent many of her summers in the Catskills, collecting folk songs from tradition-bearers who are acknowledged in the liner notes. Harry Siemsen, a Catskills resident who learned his songs through oral tradition, engaged in a variety of professions and was the official historian for the Town of Kingston. He sings two songs on the album as solos, and he and Barbara join forces in three lighthearted dialog songs. Extensive liner notes discuss the history of life in the Catskills and provide information about each song along with it's lyrics.

Tracklist:

My Good Looking Man
The Bluestone Quarries
The Foggy Dew
Simple Little Nancy Brown
The Spotted Cow
A Frog He Would A-Wooing Go (Froggie Went A-Courtin')
Jennie Jenkins
The Grumbling Driver
The Lexington Murder
Madam, I Have Gold And Silver
The Quaker's Courtship
D. And H. Canal Song
The Gray Goose
The Delhi Jail
Noah's Ark
Soldier, Oh Soldier, Won't You Marry Me?

UPC: 093070531123
Label: Folkways Records
Release Date: 5.30.12
Format: CD

Barbara Moncure - Folk Songs of the Catskills (New York) (CD)