Kitty Jay

Infobox Album | Name = Kitty Jay
Type = Album
Artist = Seth Lakeman


Released = 2004
Recorded = By Sean Lakeman in the Piano Kitchen, Horrabridge, Devon
Genre = Folk
Length = 36:40
Label = iScream
Producer = Sean Lakeman and Seth Lakeman
Reviews =
*"Fish Records" [http://www.fishrecords.co.uk/reviews/kittyjay.htm Anon]
*"Spiral Earth" [http://www.spiralearth.co.uk/reviews/KittyJay.htm Iain Hazlewood]
*"The Living Tradition" [http://www.folkmusic.net/htmfiles/webrevs/iscd006.htm Jane Brace]
Last album = The Punch Bowl
(2002)
This album = Kitty Jay
(2004)
Next album = Freedom Fields (2006)

Kitty Jay is a music album by Seth Lakeman published in 2004. It is his second album that he published as a principal performer. It was shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize for 2005. "All of these songs have been written and inspired by stories and legends from Dartmoor" where Lakeman was brought up and still resides.

Background of each track

The inspiration for each track (with the exception of track 5) is briefly described in the programme notes.

"John Lomas"

John Lomas was a servant who fell in love with his mistress, and his passion for her leads him to murder.

"The Bold Knight"

This piece was inspired by a story that Mr Lakeman heard. It is about a knight lying injured upon a moor, not knowing what fate will befall upon him, until a girl arrives to save him, but she dies herself for that kind act.

"Fight For Favour"

A song about the battle to claim land when people began to emigrate to America.

"Kitty Jay"

This piece is about the servant girl, Kitty Jay, who killed herself on the moors. Her grave lies out of Ashburton towards Hound Tor, at a crossroads where fresh flowers lay. This piece was performed at the Mercury Music Prize and is considered one of Mr Lakeman's best works.

"Farewell My Love"

No further information.

"Blood Upon Copper"

About suffering men who worked for weeks on end at a copper mine.

"Henry Clark"

Henry Clark was a well loved shipbuider from Plymouth who suffered from a strange fate.

"The Storm"

One of Mr Lakeman's stories that he was told, about a captain and his crew who sailed out of Plymouth Sound, and as night draws in a storm is brewing.

"Cape Clear"

A mournful melody performed in a church (St Andrew's) in Buckland Monachorum.

"The Ballad of Josie"

About a couple who go for a walk one morning. The man returns alone, but the woman is never seen again.

"The Streamers"

Based on a traditional melody called "The Stream of Lovely Nancy".

Track listing

#"John Lomas" (traditional) – 3:52
#"The Bold Knight" (Seth Lakeman) – 3:51
#"Fight For Favour" (Seth Lakeman) – 4:03
#"Kitty Jay" (Seth Lakeman) – 3:12
#"Farewell My Love" (Seth Lakeman) – 2:22
#"Blood Upon Copper" (Seth Lakeman) – 3:04
#"Henry Clark" (traditional) – 3:02
#"The Storm" (Seth Lakeman) – 2:41
#"Cape Clear" (traditional) – 4:20
#"The Ballad of Josie" (Seth Lakeman) – 3:25
#"The Streamers" (traditional) – 2:43

Personnel

*Seth Lakeman: Vocals, tenor guitar, violin, viola
*Sean Lakeman: Guitar, electric bass, mandolin
*Ben Nicholls: Double bass
*Iain Goodall: Drums
*Kathryn Roberts: Vocals
*Benji Kirkpatrick: Bouzouki, vocals
*Audrey Mills: Church organ

References