The extent of my knowledge about traditional English folk is extremely limited. It just about starts and ends with Fairport Convention and subsequent albums by Richard Thompson. There’s something about that subgenre of folk that I find just too precious and self-conscious.

But something struck me as different when it comes to the songs of Nancy Wallace. Perhaps it was the artwork of the new record or perhaps it was the fact that it’s distributed by the unusually diverse (and divisive) Southern label. Either way listen to “Sleeping Sickness” off of Old Stories to hear how Ms. Wallace bridges the gap between tradition and the modern world of folk. Lots more info here.

Nancy Wallace English folk

Sleeping Sickness