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http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/christmas-is-come-in/id3...
'Somerset Wassail' by Artisan
Wassaiing is a set of customs broadly concerning wishing a prosperous and fruitful year to neighbours and friends, their domestic animals and their crops. Somerset, in particular, has a custom of wassailing the apple trees to produce a fruitful crop of apples for cider-making. Each year on the 17th of January (old "Twelfth Night") the people of Somerset wassail their apple trees by placing toast (dipped in cider) into the branches of the tree and pouring a libation of cider round the rood of the tree for the good spirits, then firing shotguns into the branches of the tree to dive away the bad spirits and so ensure a fine crop of cider apples in the summer ahead. Yes, it still happens, even in the twenty-first century. This particular Somerset Wassail is of unknown origin, but was collected by Cecil Sharp.
Artisan come from Yorkshire, high on the edge of the English Pennines. Formed in 1984, Hilary Spencer, Jacey Bedford and Brian Bedford toured the world with their music for many years, performing in the UK, Europe, Canada, Australia and the USA. When they weren't singing carols Brian wrote most of the songs - witty, elegant and engaging songs. Their voices blend beautifully and, luckily, they own a shared sense of humour. Retiring from touring in November 2005, people seem to be surprised that they are all still very good friends. Artisan has been asked to do a five-year reunion in 2010 for a big Canadian festival. They are currently thinking about it and may well be tempted!
Another recording 'Sussex Carol' from 'Christmas Has Come In' by Artisan is also on this channel.
http://www.bluedotmusic.net
Video filmed and edited by Allcast for blur dot music
http://www.allcast.co.uk (less info)