Phil Minton, The Cutty Wren

Re-mastered version on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyJ3m-vmVN0&feature=youtu.be

Phil Minton sings the traditional English folk song from the Peasants' Revolt (1381) which was caused by many grievances, one of which was excessive Poll Tax. The Cutty Wren were the mercenary police whom the peasants fought and occasionally killed. When this happened, the peasants would destroy the evidence as well as stave off hunger and starvation. So the song is about eating policemen. Piano arrangement and accompaniment Veryan Weston.
Filmed by Helen Petts.
(Purists note - Mr Minton sings "John the Red Rose" instead of "John the red nose" because guitarist John Russell - who for many years ran Mopomoso free improvised music night, at the Red Rose club in London - was sitting right in front of him and he, well, got a little confused...)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• free improvisation
• extended vocal technique
• jazz singer
• folk singer
• english folk music
• experimental music
• avant guard music

[helentonic]

Re-mastered version here

[kibelezlek]

the 95 thumb ups are me from different computers

[boflynn78]

savage, fantastic

[Westbrookjazz]

Superb!

[Luggagerecords]

Devastating...FCK YEH

[captainelsewhere]

I have watched this entirely too many times. Really wonderful.

[LikeItDeep]

Strangest rendition of this song I have ever heard.

[ThePatioSetUK]

@compattybul

Nah, it's proper quality like this

[compattybul]

not saying the performance wasnt amazing....wow!!

but if he was mic'd it would've been a lot better.....piano is too loud

still, Phil Minton is amazing

[futilityroom]

Beautiful.