To listen:
https://soundcloud.com/james-m-stephenson/sets/lonesome-valley-folk-suite
I was asked if I might visit the same thought-process as Percy Grainger ("Lincolnshire Posy"); to seek out American folk songs and create my own take.
I knew I would use the same instrumentation as Grainger. Therefore, with the exception of alto clarinet, and bass saxophone (optional), and some added percussion, the ensemble on stage is essentially the same as that of Posy.
When I started my search, I was immediately overwhelmed by the plethora of folk songs, many specifically from Arkansas. Luckily, the songs I found were already categorized into some groups that I found inspiring musically; those being
Death, Animals, Love, Cowboy, Murder, and Water.
Following Mr Grainger's lead, I listened to the originals first.
I chose:
1. The Silver Dagger ("The Woeful Warning")
2. Raccoon and Possum
3. Down in the Valley
4. Tom Sherburner's Bar Room
5. The Murdered Wife (McFee's Confession)
