John Roberts and Debra Cowan
©2015 Golden Hind Music
Included In “Rich Warren’s Favorites 2015”
“Put together two of the most serious and humorous traditional singers of our time and be prepared for an album that honestly brings to life traditional music with a knowledge of the genre rare in our time. They compliment the traditional songs [with] a few contemporary traditional-sounding songs, including one with a definite wink and a nod. John Roberts, a long time practitioner of the art of traditional music, finally found a new singing partner worth his mettle in Debra Cowan, who possesses a most pleasing voice and love of the music. It’s not merely that they do justice to the material on this CD; it’s obvious that they enjoy it.”
Rich Warren, host “The Midnight Special”, WFMT Chicago
“An instant classic!”
Ron Olesko, Sing Out! Magazine
“…folk music at its most accessible and intimate, and altogether inviting.”
Sean Smith, Boston Irish Reporter
Ballads Long & Short is the newest recording from John Roberts and Debra Cowan who have been described as “two of the finest voices in folk music”. Born out of a performing collaboration of several years, this recording reflects the love and respect that both of these musicians have for songs that have stood the test of time. Ballads Long & Short contains 14 songs; eleven are traditional, a composed song each from John Conolly and Chris Sugden, both prominent English songwriters and one from Australian John Warner. The recording is rich with John and Debra’s vocal leads and harmonies either sung un-accompanied or enhanced by John’s Anglo concertina or banjo playing. A special guest appearance by guitarist Bill Cooley (Kathy Mattea, Reba McEntire) on a traditional track, “Fair Annie”, gives this Child ballad a lovely setting that completes the story. Ballads Long & Short contains just a hint of the numerous songs and the variety of material that both of these artists can call forth.
To read the liner notes click here
If you are a radio DJ or music journalist you can go to my radio page here on the website for download information or contact John Roberts at Golden Hind Music.
Order the CD from Debra
$15.00 plus $3.50 for shipping to the continental USA (please enquire about postage to Alaska and Hawaii). All orders outside the USA are $15.00 USD plus $15 shipping (SORRY!). Please allow at least a week for USA delivery and up to two weeks internationally.
Also available on iTunes!
Have a listen!