I completely agree. The music is just utter brilliant, and it should be available for people to listen to. I will probably upload more of his music in a while, from the albums that are not available for purchase.
Yes, Penguin Eggs is widely considered to be his best album and sometimes even as one of the best folk albums ever made. Interestingly enough though, I don't really know if I agree; as I find myself listening to The Noahs Ark Trap and From The Devil To A Stranger much more often. :)
I have always thought that his first two albums are his best. They're absolute masterpieces of voice & guitar. I love all of his albums but those are the ones that get the most plays from me.
I couldn’t agree with you more. To be frank it’s the lp that was most widely sold and advertised. And it’s the one most have. Like you I have all but one. Noah’s Ark trap is my favourite. All his lps BUT Penguin Eggs are VERY expensive now and so people talk about what they know. I understand that someone holds the rights to these and will not ok a rerelease.
Very Many thanks for this as well as Al O Donnell , i just bought Penguins Eggs from Nic's website last month run by his missus .I hope Nic is well , he is a LEGEND !! Wrongway up you are a STAR !! thanks again !
Gorgeous Soulful Amazing. Love this version..and I Adore June Tabors as well.. so completely different. I love how the Soul of the Artist can transform the Song in to a deeply personal vision..The Art of the Story Teller Song is such a Loving and Magickal thing to me..
Wouldn't it be great if Nic were now to re-record these albums, modern versions of his classic works which are now unobtainable, or difficult to obtain good copies of ? It might also be worthwhile financially, given his continuing and growing band of fans !
You can just order the CD's from his and his wife's own music label website: mollie music records (google it, youtube doesnt allow links, it's the co uk site). I believe the CD's are £12.50, which is $20. And I've only known his music for a year or so. I can't remember where I heard it first, but I'm glad I got to introduce you to his music. :)
I'm glad you like it. :) I'm kind of hesitant to upload any more of Nic Jones' music, since I don't want to be 'stealing' from him... with his accident and not being able to play anymore etc... I might upload more O'Donnell tracks, because I was not able to find any place where you can still buy those albums (but I could be mistaken).
@bongooldie Thanks for sharing that info, bongooldie. :) I agree with you about Penguin Eggs, I don't think it's his best album. It's quite brilliant, that's for sure, but I think I enjoy his earlier albums more. And yes, Nic was definitey blessed with a rare talent. Unfortunately phrasing it like that sounds like he is dead, which he isn't of course. :)
Yeah, he sells some of his albums on his website. But as it turns out, not all of them. So the ones that are not for sale, I will upload some tracks from. "Ballads and Songs" is one of the better albums to begin with.
@urnungal Yeah, I've uploaded a few songs the last few days that come from those unobtainable albums. The only way to get them is to be lucky and stumble upon a second hand vinyl. But as the chances of that happening are about zero, downloading it is the only option. So I decided to put up some of the songs on UA-cam as well, for people to enjoy. Nic's music is too good to just catch dust on some inactive record company's shelves.
He was in a car accident in 1982. Unfortunately he suffered some brain damage, and he feels he is unable to play guitar well enough to perform music. He has released a new album a while back though, with remastered live performances on it, so he is still making a living from his music. That's why I'm hestitant to upload more. If you like his music, definitely consider purchasing his albums, they are so good that it's unreal. And that's not even exaggerated. :)
Sounds about right to me - post the "unobtainable" stuff, with a recommend to buy the CDs he has for sale. Maybe someone will realise how much demand there is for his incomparable works andrelease them.
In the early '70's, there was this young guy at a Berkeley radio station who curated what he thought was the Best of current Brit Folk, and he put it all into a Show that he called "The Banks Of Sweet Primroses". He didn't stick with Radio; he went on to Silicon Valley and later became a Silicon Valley Legend. Enough about, (Harrumph...Atari... Harrumph), him. That Show is where I first heard The Copper Family, and Nic Jones, and Others. That show lived on for over two more decades, in a rickety Cassette recorded on a rickety Sony 200-CF Cassette Recorder, recorded right off of The Air then, and played during all our rickety Family Get-Togethers thereafter. That Cassette was Lost shortly after the rickety Year 2000. (KPFA has shown no interest in repeating that particular Broadcast. Too bad, I have better gear now.) "The Bonny Bunch Of Roses" is ostensibly about the diminishing ambitions of the Napoleon Dynasty. But that isn't really why it survived for so long. It's about kicking Royal British Ass, second hand, for the Irish, the Scots, and the Welsh. (In our defeats, we still got the best songs.) It's worthwhile paying attention to Mr. Jones', (A fine Welsh name.), technique. Compare it to all the other performances here on UA-cam. It is subtle, and wistful, and brimming regretfully with heartfelt heartloss. The Brits won... As if Napoleon would have been any better... ¬amanfromaran
Hi Claire. Not entirely true. It was never his recording company. The company you are talking about is Celtic Music. They bought the rights to his music after a bankruptcy. In this case they bought all the rights and none of the responsibilities to pay royalties. Sadly they also had no moral compass whatsoever. It was a nasty combination of one man with an interest and knowledge of folk music and a vicious rottweiller of a legal adviser. This legal cur turned on anyone who sought to use their own recorded music, citing contracts and legal obligations that had been signed with another person. That OTHER person was Bill Leader, a good and kind man who had recorded all of these singers and groups (including Christy Moore) and produced some of the most beautiful and memorable records that came out in the 1970s and early 1980s.
Celtic Music reissued 'Ballads & Songs' and eponymous 'Nic Jones' on CD, which I bought, and eagerly awaited the planned 'The Noah's Ark Trap' and 'From the Devil to a Stranger' reissues, but they didn't materialise. I discussed this with Celtic Music and Nic's wife and she suggested I ask Celtic Music (Catch 22). Latter also seemed copyright protective [hard-nosed] of old music in the public domain, like O'Carolan. Somewhere I read that the original Nic Jones tapes have not been well stored. It's irresponsible custodianship of culture.
Ok, that sounds fair. I do have both "Ballads and Songs" and "The Noah's Ark Trap". And also "Knaresborough Folk Club", which I think is a recording of a live performance there. I might post a few more of those tracks then, whenever I have the time. :) I first have to install the proper video software again, since I've recently changed computers.
Napoleon tried to conquer Russia. But with the winter and the muscovites set light to Moscow rather than hand it over. So Napoleon lost everything and was sent to die on St Helena, like his father before him.
@Teddyb1939 Actually, I have uploaded Annan Water, its on my channel. Or paste /watch?v=hzo7fADr_50 behind the youtube url to go directly to the video in question. :)
Sorry, I wasn't clear. I was commenting on the written lyrics above (which are incorrect in saying "alone"), not on the song as sung by Nic (which does correctly have "along").
Unfortunately his first four solo albums - including "Ballads and Songs", possibly his best - are unavailable because a despicable policy by his old recording company not to release them on CD. So please don't feel constrained about posting tracks from those albums!
Anyone reading this should note, the despicable policy has nothing to do with the people who originally recorded and released Nic’s albums. The labels were purchased by the people behind ‘Celtic Music’ and it’s they who refuse to do anything about releasing them.
I remember my dad playing this repeatedly on vinyl and Nic's voice still gives me chills nearly 40 years on
Always my favourite Nic Jones song. Lord knows how many times I’ve sung it beautifully and alone.
The pure genius that is Nic Jones , he will never be equalled and we will never hear his likes again
Idk what I'm doing here but i love it here🎉
I completely agree. The music is just utter brilliant, and it should be available for people to listen to.
I will probably upload more of his music in a while, from the albums that are not available for purchase.
How did I miss Nic Jones?
Hearing this singer for the first time. Im entranced...
Magical Nic,voice and guitar so good. so many lovely Nic Jones beauties. Have followed Nic for at least 40 years,
Lovely, thanks for sharing.
Always loved this version of this song.
Yes, Penguin Eggs is widely considered to be his best album and sometimes even as one of the best folk albums ever made.
Interestingly enough though, I don't really know if I agree; as I find myself listening to The Noahs Ark Trap and From The Devil To A Stranger much more often. :)
I have always thought that his first two albums are his best. They're absolute masterpieces of voice & guitar. I love all of his albums but those are the ones that get the most plays from me.
I remember the guardian (?) had it I. Their top British albums of all time in the early 2000s ⭐️ Nic is a musical hero of mine.
I couldn’t agree with you more. To be frank it’s the lp that was most widely sold and advertised. And it’s the one most have. Like you I have all but one. Noah’s Ark trap is my favourite. All his lps BUT Penguin Eggs are VERY expensive now and so people talk about what they know. I understand that someone holds the rights to these and will not ok a rerelease.
there he was, in Calstock 2 yrs ago ,sat in the audience and supporting O, n T !!
wonderful to hear this again
Love this song and his arrangement sincere and truthful chords and notes lovey
I am sure I will never tire of listening to Nic,another great item on your site,much appreciated.
Very Many thanks for this as well as Al O Donnell , i just bought Penguins Eggs from Nic's website last month run by his missus .I hope Nic is well , he is a LEGEND !! Wrongway up you are a STAR !! thanks again !
Gorgeous Soulful Amazing. Love this version..and I Adore June Tabors as well.. so completely different. I love how the Soul of the Artist can transform the Song in to a deeply personal vision..The Art of the Story Teller Song is such a Loving and Magickal thing to me..
Wouldn't it be great if Nic were now to re-record these albums, modern versions of his classic works which are now unobtainable, or difficult to obtain good copies of ? It might also be worthwhile financially, given his continuing and growing band of fans !
This stuff is so good. What a shame his early records are unobtainable. I'd personally mail Nic cash for CD-R copies of these records.
You can sometimes find them on vinyl online, on auction sites like ebay. I'm sure you'll be able to find them if you look around. :)
Brilliant performance. Thank you for sharing.
Absolutely brilliant stuff.
My favorite performance of his.
the best for sure
You can just order the CD's from his and his wife's own music label website: mollie music records (google it, youtube doesnt allow links, it's the co uk site). I believe the CD's are £12.50, which is $20.
And I've only known his music for a year or so. I can't remember where I heard it first, but I'm glad I got to introduce you to his music. :)
I'm glad you like it. :)
I'm kind of hesitant to upload any more of Nic Jones' music, since I don't want to be 'stealing' from him... with his accident and not being able to play anymore etc...
I might upload more O'Donnell tracks, because I was not able to find any place where you can still buy those albums (but I could be mistaken).
Cool
I am sure I had Nic doing Annon Water but cant find it anywhere.I wish I still had all my old records.Listen to Amazing Blondel,The England album.
Nic's version of "Teddy Bears' Picnic" can be heard on UA-cam - Search for Part 7 of "Our Day Out", go to 4:06.
[Tyneside, England.]
@bongooldie Thanks for sharing that info, bongooldie. :)
I agree with you about Penguin Eggs, I don't think it's his best album. It's quite brilliant, that's for sure, but I think I enjoy his earlier albums more.
And yes, Nic was definitey blessed with a rare talent. Unfortunately phrasing it like that sounds like he is dead, which he isn't of course. :)
Yeah, he sells some of his albums on his website. But as it turns out, not all of them. So the ones that are not for sale, I will upload some tracks from. "Ballads and Songs" is one of the better albums to begin with.
I have this on vinyl
@urnungal Yeah, I've uploaded a few songs the last few days that come from those unobtainable albums. The only way to get them is to be lucky and stumble upon a second hand vinyl. But as the chances of that happening are about zero, downloading it is the only option. So I decided to put up some of the songs on UA-cam as well, for people to enjoy. Nic's music is too good to just catch dust on some inactive record company's shelves.
He was in a car accident in 1982. Unfortunately he suffered some brain damage, and he feels he is unable to play guitar well enough to perform music.
He has released a new album a while back though, with remastered live performances on it, so he is still making a living from his music. That's why I'm hestitant to upload more.
If you like his music, definitely consider purchasing his albums, they are so good that it's unreal. And that's not even exaggerated. :)
I saw him at Trowbridge Festival a few years ago and there was hardly a dry eye in the marquee. What a performer!
Sounds about right to me - post the "unobtainable" stuff, with a recommend to buy the CDs he has for sale. Maybe someone will realise how much demand there is for his incomparable works andrelease them.
In the early '70's, there was this young guy at a Berkeley radio station who curated what he thought was the Best of current Brit Folk, and he put it all into a Show that he called "The Banks Of Sweet Primroses".
He didn't stick with Radio; he went on to Silicon Valley and later became a Silicon Valley Legend.
Enough about, (Harrumph...Atari... Harrumph), him.
That Show is where I first heard The Copper Family, and Nic Jones, and Others. That show lived on for over two more decades, in a rickety Cassette recorded on a rickety Sony 200-CF Cassette Recorder, recorded right off of The Air then, and played during all our rickety Family Get-Togethers thereafter. That Cassette was Lost shortly after the rickety Year 2000.
(KPFA has shown no interest in repeating that particular Broadcast. Too bad, I have better gear now.)
"The Bonny Bunch Of Roses" is ostensibly about the diminishing ambitions of the Napoleon Dynasty. But that isn't really why it survived for so long.
It's about kicking Royal British Ass, second hand, for the Irish, the Scots, and the Welsh. (In our defeats, we still got the best songs.)
It's worthwhile paying attention to Mr. Jones', (A fine Welsh name.), technique. Compare it to all the other performances here on UA-cam. It is subtle, and wistful, and brimming regretfully with heartfelt heartloss.
The Brits won...
As if Napoleon would have been any better...
¬amanfromaran
Hi Claire. Not entirely true. It was never his recording company. The company you are talking about is Celtic Music. They bought the rights to his music after a bankruptcy. In this case they bought all the rights and none of the responsibilities to pay royalties. Sadly they also had no moral compass whatsoever. It was a nasty combination of one man with an interest and knowledge of folk music and a vicious rottweiller of a legal adviser. This legal cur turned on anyone who sought to use their own recorded music, citing contracts and legal obligations that had been signed with another person. That OTHER person was Bill Leader, a good and kind man who had recorded all of these singers and groups (including Christy Moore) and produced some of the most beautiful and memorable records that came out in the 1970s and early 1980s.
Celtic Music reissued 'Ballads & Songs' and eponymous 'Nic Jones' on CD, which I bought, and eagerly awaited the planned 'The Noah's Ark Trap' and 'From the Devil to a Stranger' reissues, but they didn't materialise. I discussed this with Celtic Music and Nic's wife and she suggested I ask Celtic Music (Catch 22). Latter also seemed copyright protective [hard-nosed] of old music in the public domain, like O'Carolan. Somewhere I read that the original Nic Jones tapes have not been well stored. It's irresponsible custodianship of culture.
Ok, that sounds fair. I do have both "Ballads and Songs" and "The Noah's Ark Trap". And also "Knaresborough Folk Club", which I think is a recording of a live performance there.
I might post a few more of those tracks then, whenever I have the time. :) I first have to install the proper video software again, since I've recently changed computers.
what's the story behind this song?
Napoleon tried to conquer Russia. But with the winter and the muscovites set light to Moscow rather than hand it over. So Napoleon lost everything and was sent to die on St Helena, like his father before him.
@@jillybe1873 thanks. But why the reference to the roses? what is that ? the british isles presumably?
@@pauljones5066 when Ireland was a colony, before the 'unity' was broke.
@Teddyb1939 Actually, I have uploaded Annan Water, its on my channel. Or paste /watch?v=hzo7fADr_50 behind the youtube url to go directly to the video in question. :)
In the fourth verse, it should be "Enough to take the whole world along" [not "alone"]
I could be wrong but I always heard 'Along' - I think it's just his style of singing and accent
@@sebastianpollock2355 "Along" also rhymes, which is something that this song does consistently.
Sorry, I wasn't clear. I was commenting on the written lyrics above (which are incorrect in saying "alone"), not on the song as sung by Nic (which does correctly have "along").
This has always been my favourite Nic Jones song. And that’s a few decades now; it still makes me quake with emotion.
@Teddyb1939
Unfortunately his first four solo albums - including "Ballads and Songs", possibly his best - are unavailable because a despicable policy by his old recording company not to release them on CD. So please don't feel constrained about posting tracks from those albums!
Anyone reading this should note, the despicable policy has nothing to do with the people who originally recorded and released Nic’s albums. The labels were purchased by the people behind ‘Celtic Music’ and it’s they who refuse to do anything about releasing them.
this is great however i think robin williamson has reworked the tune and improved it greatly
wadefite if you think there is a better version of this anywhere in the universe good luck searching
@@tazio2 the definitive version
@@kololikate Nic Jones is a genius a rarified talent , the greatest of all time and he is without equals