Shallow Brown

Shallow Brown - music by Percy Grainger - sung by John Shirley-Quirk, with The Ambrosian Singers and English Chamber Orchestra Conducted by Benjamin Britten.. Video of Beaumaris and Gerlan.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• shallow
• brown
• percy
• grainger
• shirley-quirk
• biwmaris
• beaumaris
• anglesey
• gerlan
• bethesda
• gwynedd
• gogledd
• cymru

[bernieholland775]

For many, many years I have been beguiled by this song. I am really lost for words in attempting to explain how this piece of music transports my spirit to another realm. It is charming, it is sublime, it is simply beautiful. You have honoured us all in the deepest way by posting this video. Thank you so much !

[blinddrunkal]

@bernieholland775 This song haunted me from the moment I heard it on a Radio3 program called "Over the hills and far away" - a portrait of Percy Grainger. It seems such a long time ago now. My thanks to you, Bernie, for your comments. All the best from a very wet Bethesda - Alan

[Gregparkerblues]

My education continues ! Thank you, Alan. Feel more 'cultured'/informed . Great voice/choir/orchestra/film ! 'Sailor Brown'?(Shaller?) Thanks for infotaining me. 5*

[blinddrunkal]

Thanks, Greg - I'm reliably informed that "Shaller" is a corruption of "Challo" meaning mixed race. (thanks to harrypetepeters for that info)

[arizonastrip73]

I thank you, blinddrunkal, from the deepest gratitude I could express. Heard this on ABC, Sydney a fortnight ago and had never heard it before. The ambiance of Percy Grainger's style, the greatness of Shirley-Quirk was too much. I cried the entire selection. Then, I spent the next three days researching the name; all of my Grainger experience was brass band and marching band compositions. I found the name and you and youtube did the rest. Again, thank you!

[boatbandvideo]

Here's another version I am partial to, especially the brass at the end youtubedot com/watch?v=Ldm70tuiP_Q

[boatbandvideo]

Amazing version of a fabulous song. Grainger's arrangement is masterly and totally original, and Benjamin Britten's conducting gets the rhythmic pulse of the sea superbly. I am no great fan of classical arrangements of folk songs, but this is the bee's knees.

[hardytmc]

Absolutely exquisite - thanks!

[julbim]

An absolutely classic. Song at it's highest level as an art form. What I find so interesting is that there are precursors of Brian Wilson's arrangements (3.37), particularly Smile era, in Britten and Grainger's arrangement.

[Teddyb1939]

The great John Shirley-Quirk used to live in my village in Bucks, a really nice fellow. Some of my pals attended music lessons with him. A class act with a truly great voice!!. Have a listen to his Linden Lea, pure magic,it evokes the English [or perhaps I should say British] countryside to the full.Thanks for this lovely piece.

[chuffnobbler]

A better copy of Norma and Eliza's version is here:

youtube dot com / watch?v=gxRWt1qOD7o

It's breathtaking on the CD, though: the whole choir behind them makes me tingle.

[chuffnobbler]

I came here after hearing English folk singers Norma Waterson and Eliza Carthy singing Shallow Brown on their CD The Gift. It took my breath away (there's a not-very-good copy of a bit of it here on Youtube), and I ended up here. This is lovely: thanks for posting. Please listen to Norma's version!

[surfasteve68]

This is so beautiful !

[10003949]

@bernieholland775 Earlier this evening I discoverd that someone 4 days ago had posted the final interview of Dennis Potter. I had been searching for this for years and was stunned and delighted and am forever in that persons debt. I'm motivated to repay a favour and so wanted to let you know I have an excellent quality vinyl LP of this song and other Grainger gems.Don't know if its possible to get it converted onto a digital source but if you're interested I can try. rob.hyde@cheshireeast.gov.uk