I'm A Workin' Chap

I'm A Workin' Chap

Track Listings

1. I'm A Workin' Chap

2. Jamie Foyers

3. Green Eyes

4. Van Diemen's Land

5. The Farm Auction

6. Flo'or of Northumberland

7. The Widows O' War

8. My Father's Cause

9. Collier Laddie

10. A Drunk Man Looks At The Weavin'

11. The Bonniest Lass

12. Laird O' The Dinty Doon

13. No More Cod On The Banks

14. Tales Of A Favourite Lass

15. I'll Lay Ye Doon Love

Editorial Reviews
Roddy Campbell, Penguin Eggs, Fall, 2002
"Powerful, moving songs of substance."

Product Description
I'm A Workin' Chap by Scottish-Canadian folksinger Enoch Kent, is a 15-track collection of songs in the traditional Scottish style, with much Canadian subject matter, giving this music a unique cultural blend. The melody of Garnet Rogers' beautiful instrumental, "Green Eyes", has also been put to verse, and Enoch offers powerful renditions of Ewan MacColl's "Jamie Foyers", as well as outstanding interpretations of such traditional material as "Van Diemen's Land", "Flo'or of Northumberland", and "Collier Laddie".

Accompanying Enoch (guitar and vocals) are:

Ian Bell (guitar)
Shelley Brown (flute, background vocals)
Tim Harrison (guitar)
Tam Kearney (background vocals)
Lawrence Stevenson (fiddle)

I'm A Workin' Chap

Tracks:

I'm A Workin' Chap
Jamie Foyers
Green Eyes
Van Diemen's Land
The Farm Auction
Flo'or of Northumberland
The Widows O' War
My Father's Cause
Collier Laddie
A Drunk Man Looks At The Weavin'
The Bonniest Lass
Laird O' The Dinty Doon
No More Cod On The Banks
Tales Of A Favourite Lass
I'll Lay Ye Doon Love

Album Description

I'm A Workin' Chap by Scottish-Canadian folksinger Enoch Kent, is a 15-track collection of songs in the traditional Scottish style, with much Canadian subject matter, giving this music a unique cultural blend. The melody of Garnet Rogers' beautiful instrumental, "Green Eyes", has also been put to verse, and Enoch offers powerful renditions of Ewan MacColl's "Jamie Foyers", as well as outstanding interpretations of such traditional material as "Van Diemen's Land", "Flo'or of Northumberland", and "Collier Laddie".

Accompanying Enoch (guitar and vocals) are:

Ian Bell (guitar)
Shelley Brown (flute, background vocals)
Tim Harrison (guitar)
Tam Kearney (background vocals)
Lawrence Stevenson (fiddle)

Customer Reviews:

Authentic Scottish Singing.......2005-01-12

I heard about Enoch Kent from a song that Garnet Rogers covered ("The Farm Auction"). I have gotten music of other musicians whom Garnet has covered, and haven't been disappointed in any of them. So I took a gamble on this, as Amazon didn't have any music samples to listen to. I wasn't prepared for his strong, deep (or as someone aptly described it, "smoky") Scottish accent, but that makes it all the more special and unique. It takes a bit of work to understand what he's saying, but after awhile, you get the idea of the song, even if you don't understand every word, because of his strong accent. He may not have a "polished" voice, as some other singers might, but that's what makes his music so special, because it comes from the heart.

One reviewer said the music was charming. I guess in a way it is, but that really doesn't capture its quality. It's difficult to really describe it. Another contemporary Scottish folk singer, Ewan MacColl, encouraged him to write his own songs, and obviously he took him up on it, with success. He and some friends spent a lot of effort researching traditional Scottish songs. That's evident on this CD and I'm sure the others (which I don't have, yet). While all the songs are good, the one I like the best is "A Drunk Man Looks At The Weavin'". In the song, he talks about what life would be like without clothes: "How would you know what team to root for, if they didn't have any clothes?" It's really a hilarious tune. I also really like "Green Eyes", which is an instrumental that Garnet wrote for his own wife. Enoch put words to it (even though his wife has blue eyes) to describe how he felt when he met his wife and she agreed to marry him, and the years they've spent together. It's a very touching song.

He also has two other CDs available, ("Love, Lust & Loathing", and his latest, "For The Women") but unfortunately, they're not available at Amazon. Still, you can find them at www.enochkent.ca, where you can also listen to samples. His latest album doesn't yet offer samples. But this CD, and his second one, do.

So if you're attracted to the rich, earthy voices of faraway lands, but are also touched by singing that comes straight from the heart, you'll treasure this CD by Enoch Kent. It'll remain a vital part of your folk music collection, for years to come.

Charming and thoughful Scottish folk.......2003-09-19

The songs collected on I'm A Workin' Chap are a combination of Enoch Kent's interpretation of traditionals (and "Jamie Foyers" by Ewan MacColl), his originals done in the traditional style, or his addition of new lyrics to traditional tunes (as well as Garnet Rogers' haunting instrumental "Green Eyes"), making a cornucopia of songwriting styles the likes of which this (admittedly inexperienced) ear has never heard before.

Kent's quiet charm sneaks up on you long after his deep Scottish burr draws you in. Kent's burnished vocals--whether accompanied by a solo guitar or a capella--evoke solid emotion without his really seeming to try. So that a song like "The Farm Auction" elicits a surprised tear from the listener, who simply wasn't ready for a song that strong.

The subjects range from love to sex to politics to hardship but remain firmly entrenched in the life of the "workin' chap." Spare arrangements merely add to the "reality" of the lyrics, with production not getting in the way of a good song, as can often happen. Kent is happy to let the songs speak for themselves, adding only the occasional light flute or fiddle to enhance the atmosphere of the tune--as opposed to creating one from scratch.

But it's Kent's delivery that makes the songs what they are. I dare you to not feel the pain of "The Farm Auction" but luckily the whole album isn't like that, the sad songs interlaced with fun numbers like "A Drunk Man Looks at the Weavin'," a highly original tribute to weavers and their unsung contribution to our daily lives. Kent takes a serious subject and gives it a light touch to make us think. And couldn't we all use a little more of that?

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