Right Wantonly A-Mumming

Subtitled: A Collection of Seasonal Songs and Celebrations. Solo album by this UK folksinger who has recorded with Meg Baird and Helena Espvall. Has been compared to Karen Dalton, Shirley Collins, Judy Dyble, etc. These songs were written over the course of a year, starting at midsummer 2005. Sharron's aim was to create songs that could be sung to celebrate the seasons and mark the turning points of the year; songs with choruses that were easy to pick up and that would sit comfortably alongside traditional wassailing songs, carols and May songs. As Kraus herself explains, "Each song was written in it's season: At midsummer I awoke at dawn, climbed a hill and looked out over Oxfordshire and imagined the battle between summer and winter; at midwinter I made holly wreaths, wrapped up warm and went for brisk wintery walks and then huddled in a warm pub with my favorite traditional singers, sang 'To Shorten Winter's Sadness' for the first time and was rewarded with a rousing chorus. Following and marking the seasons was important to rural communities whose lives depended on a good harvest. I believe that it's just as important for US to do the same: To rejoice when spring comes each year; to be thankful for 'good harvests,' whatever form they take; to confront death and the return of winter, and to take comfort in each other's company through the cold months. I hope that these songs will be sung by folk singers in sessions and folk clubs, around bonfires at midsummer gatherings, by choirs, and by ramblers and anyone who takes joy in nature." the singers and musicians joining Sharron on this record are all connected through the Oxford folk scene. Ian Giles, Claire Lloyd and Graham Metcalfe sang together as Folly Bridge and Ian and Graham now sing with Ian Woods as GMW. John Spiers and Jon Boden started playing together while Jon was living in Oxford. Since he relocated to Yorkshire, he and Fay are frequent visitors. "I like this CD very much. And I loved 'Wake Up Sleepers,' and 'The Wedding Song' in particular. Sharron has a great voice - it's very strong and clear and with a hard edge that is both beautiful and compelling to listen to.' - Shirley Collins, 2007.