‘Blacksmith’ on ‘Rubaiyat’

[rick]

Was thinking about Linda's version of "Blacksmith," which first appeared on "Rubaiyat," Elektra's 40th anniversary two-CD set. At the time of its release, I was working as managing editor of an entertainment publication and my music writer was aware of my love of all things Linda Ronstadt so she got me an advance copy.

The only reference I could find about "Rubaiyat" on here was a post by eddie in the thread about "Give One Heart" --

May 17, 2013 17:01:28 GMT -5 eddiejinnj said:

I do not hear reggae in heartbeats. I don't think it was one to my knowledge like many rivers to cross I knew was a reggae song. love give one heart. it should have been a single. I like Rivers of Babylon. great that she has an acapella song in her repertoire. the blacksmith is the only other one I know but that was on the rubaiyat album for the record company's 40th anniversary. eddiejinnj

I know that "Blacksmith" wound up on the Linda Ronstadt Box Set but wondered how many others bought "Rubaiyat" upon its first release for "Blacksmith."

[eddiejinnj]

I was just given an old copy of the book, "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam". I can't believe, in my quote above, I didn't capitalize the album name and song by Linda. My bad as they say. I am confused re: this release. What is the name of the album that had a drawing of a long haired man without much clothing on the cover? His hair flowing backward. I thought that was Rubaiyat. I have seen the Rose cover but I thought it was just the CD cover. Also, Linda's song on it breaks the mold as far as the album's concept of newer Elektra artists doing older artists' tunes. eddiejinfl

[rick]

eddie, are you thinking of “The Prayer”?

[Deleted]

I have downloaded Rubaiyat for Linda, but never bought the album.

[eddiejinnj]

"The Prayer Circle? No. Oh, I remember. Is it "Free Creek"? My memory usually comes through in the end. Just thought of it. Thanks, Rick. Just checked and that is what I was thinking. The "Music of Free Creek" (1969 Buddah Records US) has Linda doing "Living Like a Fool" and "He Darked the Sun". Thanks again for the help. eddiejinfl

[eddiejinnj]

Going back to Rubaiyat, I don't think I ever heard of it at the time of it's release. I was buying everything new Linda (as I would now) but I guess it was just under my radar. It was only after buying "The Box Set" that I delved into it. eddiejinfl

[Partridge]

I have two copies of Rubáiyát. One is the two-disc version that is the widely available one. Also I have a four-disc set of Rubáiyát that includes not only the newly recorded versions but also the original artist versions.

I do not, however, have a promo version or advance release version. This seems an odd project. It does not seem like something that would be expected to sell in great numbers.

[guest]

"Blacksmith" (Roud 816) is a traditional English folk song, also known as "A Blacksmith Courted Me". The song was noted down by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1909 from a Mrs Powell. On that occasion it was sung to the tune "Monk's Gate", better known as the tune of "To be a pilgrim", the hymn by John Bunyan. The same tune is sometimes used for the song "Our Captain Cried". It has been recorded many times. There are versions by The Critics Group, Shirley Collins, Steeleye Span on the albums Hark! The Village Wait and Please to See the King, Planxty on their first album Planxty, Barbara Dickson on the album Do Right Woman, Phil Cooper on the album "Pretty Susan", Scatter the Mud on the album "In the Mood", Loreena McKennitt on Elemental, Martin Simpson and Kathy & Carol and Eddi Reader on Mirmama. Linda Ronstadt gives an a cappella rendition on the 1990 compilation album Rubáiyát. Barry Dransfield recorded an unusual instrumental version of the tune. Jah Wobble recorded a version of the song on his 1996 album "English Roots Music".
[/quote]


the song has an interesting history

[guest]

The Blacksmith at 1:30:52 or thereabouts

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rub%C3%A1iy%C3%A1t:_Elektra%27s_40th_Anniversary

[rick]

Mar 7, 2022 16:27:35 GMT -5 Partridge said:

I have two copies of Rubáiyát. One is the two-disc version that is the widely available one. Also I have a four-disc set of Rubáiyát that includes not only the newly recorded versions but also the original artist versions.

I do not, however, have a promo version or advance release version. This seems an odd project. It does not seem like something that would be expected to sell in great numbers.

Tony --

Thanks for this. Although I have the two-CD set, I didn't know until searching eBay last night for images of the set that a four-CD set existed. When I saw it, I thought it might be a mistake. Thank you for clarifying. My feeling about this is that it was never meant to sell well, but more something to mark an event. I'm glad Linda did make a contribution. Is the version on the "original set" the one by Jimmie Rodgers?

As for "You Belong To Me" by Anita Baker, it eventually wound up, I believe, on her "Rhythm of Love" album. I assume that the original on the four-CD set is the Carly Simon version.

[Partridge]

The version of Blacksmith presented as the original Elektra version was by Kathy and Carol.

[rick]

Mar 7, 2022 23:33:47 GMT -5 Partridge said:

The version of Blacksmith presented as the original Elektra version was by Kathy and Carol.

Thanks, Tony. I prefer Linda's version. Couldn't quite make it until the very end of Kathy and Carol's version. The quavering voice started to wear on me.

[eddiejinnj]

Thanks for your posts, guest and welcome to the forum. Really, the concept for the album is not particularly odd - a tribute album to Elektra artists by new Elektra artists. Somehow, though, it does come off as being odd or to use the much used word eccentric. eddiejinfl

[Deleted]

Linda's acapella version shows what a great voice she has, without needing instrumentation.