This Land, by Kelly Oliver

This Land

by Kelly Oliver

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1.	The Witch of Walkern 04:08	lyrics	buy track

2.	Diamond Girl (Album edit) 03:05	lyrics	buy track

3.	Mary and the Soldier 03:49	lyrics	buy track

4.	Daughter Dear 03:11	lyrics	buy track

5.	Mr Officer 03:59	lyrics	buy track

6.	Far From Home 04:36	lyrics	buy track

7.	Caledonia 03:40	lyrics	buy track

8.	A Gush of Wind 03:50	lyrics	buy track

9.	Off to the Market 02:49	lyrics	buy track

10.	Grandpa was a Stoker 05:09	lyrics	buy track

11.	Playing with Sand 05:17	lyrics	buy track

about

“graceful...stripped back simplicity...an album rich in honesty and...a blossoming talent...golden vocals..storytelling, with classical ease and accompaniment ...While THIS LAND has its feet firmly placed in the traditional camp, there is a potential to reach out to a wider audience” Three Chords and the Truth

“ a manifest pleasure to review an exceptional debut album... it’s been truly wonderful to witness the continued rise of singer-songwriter Kelly Oliver - a lady that's set to become one of England’s premier folk talents. Beautifully-architectured arrangements of guitar and harmonica...
Her voice, rich and natural, silvered and sensuous, cascades lifeblood into her lyrics lifting her songs towards those hidden places where deep feelings dwell. Add an expressive touch on guitar and harmonica and you know that you’re listening to something fresh, vibrant and as essential as breathing...
simply restored faith that sometimes outstanding talent does win through”. Tim Carroll, Folkwords

" Whilst folk is at the core of "This Land", there is a nod or two other parts of the acoustic spectrum, sometimes also bringing in a poppier element, sometimes a bluesier feel, particularly when Kelly gives the vocal chords a rest to remind us that she's a pretty damned fine harmonica player. For the record she's no slouch on the six string either. Kelly Oliver and "This Land" is a complex proposition and yet it all pulls together into a wonderful picture, that draws on the broad canvas of life, it's inspiring in its own right and a damned fine listen time and time again". Neil King FATEA Magazine

“Without any hint of being patronising Kelly Oliver seems to have matured so much in such a short time it almost defies the laws of nature. Oliver may not have been around that long but she has slotted right in and looks and feels at home on the folk circuit like a veteran but having the advantage of her fresh and vibrant sound.
This Land seems to have a retro element built into it.
There is something just so familiar about her voice and yet so new. It has a freshness about it and yet you could take her back to the iconic festivals of the 60s and she wouldn't be out of place at all.
While it would be a little presumptuous to say she is the new Joni Mitchell there is a good chance Mitchell fans will see a great similarity and warm to her.
The opening of Diamond Girl is just so attention-grabbing, it has those gentle uber-folk chords and this time. Oliver's voice has overtones of the incredibly talented Kate Bush. It's simple, effective and just a real pleasure to listen to...she has this ability to reach people at a deep emotional level with her singing. She is fortunate in having talent by the bucket load and o thers have taken years to reach what is Oliver's starting point” Danny Farragher, Folk All.

Welcome to a dramatic collection of thought provoking themes, which are showcased in this exciting debut album from Kelly Oliver, one of the freshest faces on the scene who promises to be one of the fastest rising stars in the folk firmament.
Ranging from traditional songs right through to contemporary folk, 'This Land' demonstrates the versatility of Kelly's voice, musicianship and song writing and suggests a blossoming of confidence and maturing objectivity when compared to her more introspective debut EP Far From Home.

This Land is being released on 27th October at Folktoberfest in Harpenden Public Halls. Herts (which also features Maz O'Connor, Luke Jackson, Jess Morgan and Said the Maiden on the illustrious line up) ánd will be available a month before release at tour dates in September.

Eleven tracks plus a secret slice of gorgeous a capella are being delivered in a jewel case which is transformed into a work of art thanks to the eight page lyric booklet created by Freddy Bulmer, with the music being produced by Lauren Deakin Davies and Kelly Oliver and mastered by Rob Groucutt. Additional instrumentation provided by Sunjay Brayne (Caledonia), Dave Swarbrick (Grandpa was a Stoker) Kaity Rae (Diamond Girl) and Lauren Deakin Davies - Bass guitar wherever it features across the album.

Diamond Girl is the first song to be released off the album. It is a radio edit of the second track from 'This Land' and features the rich and deep vocals of Luke Jackson which creates an exquisite, unique and captivating duet.
Luke Jackson was a 2013 BBC 2 Folk Award double nominee and has released his second album Fumes and Faith earlier this year.
Diamond Girl will be available on special pre release via Kelly Oliver's website and bandcamp ( kellyoliver.co.uk) on 11th September and via iTunes and the usual digital outlets on 2nd October.

Kelly Oliver played guitar, Lauren Deakin Davies played bass guitar and Kaity Rae played Cello.
We are indebted to Help Musicians UK for Kelly's Emerging Excellence Award which has made this album possible and we would like to thank Hohner harmonicas and Sutherland Trading for their continued support and for providing the best instruments for Kelly to make her music.
Thanks also to Whispering Bob Harris's Broadcasting Company (WBBC), Ruth Barnes The Other Woman show for Amazing Radio, Jon Earl for Songs from the Shed, Gaby Roslin on BBC London among others for inviting Kelly to session for them.

Kelly’s brand of Folk is so accessible that you don’t need to be a ‘Strictly Folk’ music junky to enjoy her music. If you like a beautiful voice, lyrics from the heart and warm melodies then Kelly Oliver deserves your attention" Music Crowns

“Kelly Oliver seems to be getting on everyone’s radar ... someone pretty special” Spiral Earth

“hotly tipped” R2 Magazine

credits

released October 27, 2014

Vocals by Kelly Oliver
Additional vocals on Diamond Girl by Luke Jackson
Guitar and Harmonica by Kelly Oliver
Additional guitar by Sunjay Brain on Caledonia
Bass guitar by Lauren Deakin Davies
Cello by Kaity Rae
Produced by Lauren Deakin Davies
Mastered by Rob Groucutt.

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about

Folkstock Records UK

Boutique label releasing handpicked singer songwriters from the Folkstock fold.
Most engineering, mixing and mastering by Lauren Deakin Davies.
Except Bright Season by Bright Season - released 31st May 2014
The F Spot by Friends of Folkstock - release date 17th May 2014
Passing the Baton - Swarb and Folkstock friends - 5th April 2014
Debut EP release from Kelly Oliver on 26.11.13. Far From Home ... more

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Track Name: The Witch of Walkern: A man had lost his child, his only son.
Then he spied the girl who pushed away his hand.
He's afraid, 'What if she's to tell?
I'll lose my wife as well.'

He called to the crowd, 'See the girl there?
She has killed my son.
She's a witch and she has killed my son.'

People scream, 'Murder, murder!
She must die as well. Send her straight to hell.
Burn her at the stake, drown her in the lake.
She's confessed, she's confessed her sin,
she's a witch indeed. What more do we need?
Let us hear her plea, let us hear her speak.'

'I confess, I confess. I confessed, I confessed.
I confessed hanging by my feet, I confessed while you were burning me.
I confessed 'cause torture makes you weak, you know not what you speak,
you say what you're told to speak.
You told me I was guilty, you told me what to say.
And if I don't comply? You'll kill me anyway.
I am not a fool, I am not insane.
And I am not to blame.

And I appeal to you, as did the Witch of Walkern.
She was given a trial, and then a royal pardon.
I am as innocent as her, I can prove this isn't fair,
I can say the Lord's prayer.
And I appeal to you, as did the Witch of Walkern.
Don't put me on the stool, don't send me under water.
For I won't float you know, and when I am dead and gone,
will you know that you were wrong? You will know that you were wrong.
You will know that you were wrong. And when I am dead and gone,
you will know that you were wrong.'

The girl was silent then, and as was the Witch of Walkern,
the girl was given her trial and then given her pardon.
That was the end of the trials, no more women taken as fools,
no more women on the stools.
Track Name: Diamond Girl (Album edit): She was his diamond girl, she was his precious love.
Although he never said, 'cause she didn't listen enough.
And when he looked at her, she couldn't hear his words,
she couldn't see him hurt.

She was his diamond girl, he said 'I'm falling for you,
you warned me not to fall, I didn't listen to you.
I know you'll have to go, I know that day is close.
It's the day I fear the most.'

And she could do no wrong in his eyes, all he could see
was this perfect one for him to spend his time with.
And if she said the word, he would be ready for her,
she was his diamond girl.

She was his diamond girl, she said 'I'll stay with you.'
She said 'You treat me well and I believe you're being true.'
She said 'I won't go now, I'll never find someone like you.'
She said 'I'll stay with you.'

And she could do no wrong in his eyes, all he could see
was this perfect one for him to spend his time with.
And if she said the word, he would be ready for her,
she was his diamond girl.

He smiled, 'She's mine',
but he made mistakes all the time.
He'd find he'd learn, he'd pay,
when she finally walked away.

And she could do no wrong in his eyes, all he could see
was this perfect one for him to spend his time with.
And if she said the word, he would be ready for her,
she was his diamond girl.

She was his diamond girl, he said 'Don't ever change.'
He said 'Stay golden girl', she said 'Why don't you do the same?
You were my diamond boy, now you don't shine as bright,
now you don't shine in the light.'
Track Name: Mary and the Soldier: Come all you lads of high renown, that would hear of a fair young maiden.
For she roved out on a summer's day, to view the soldiers parading.
They marched so bold and they looked so gay, the colours flying and the band did play.
And it caused young Mary for to say, I'll wed you my gallant soldier.

She viewed the soldiers on parade and as they stood at their leisure,
young Mary to herself did say, 'At last I've found my treasure.
But oh how cruel my parents must be to banish my darling so far from me.
Well I leave them all and I'll go with thee, my bold undaunted soldier.'

'Oh Mary dear, your parents love. I pray, don't be unruly.
For when you're in a foreign land, believe me you'll rue it surely.
Perhaps in battle I might fall from a shot from an angry cannonball,
and you so far from your daddy's hall, be advised by a gallant soldier.'

'I have fifty guineas in bright gold, likewise a heart that's bolder.
And I'll leave them all and I'll go with you, my bold undaunted soldier.
So don't say no but let me go, and I will face the daring foe.
And we'll march together to and fro and I'll wed you, my gallant soldier.'

And when he saw her loyalty and Mary so true hearted,
he said 'My darling, married we'll be and nothing but death will part us.
And when we're in a foreign land, I'll guard you darling with my right hand,
in hopes that God might stand a friend to Mary and her gallant soldier.'
Track Name: Daughter Dear: 'Father dear, hear what I've to say.
I've found my love, he's in Amerikay.
I'll leave our home, I will travel to him,
for I know I would die to be with him.'

'No! Oh no no no,
no girl of mine will cross the sea
for this young boy's glee.
He'd have you follow him but no,
a father's love can see beyond a young girl's dream.
Daughter, you'll take heed.'

'But Father dear, I'm to marry him.
He'll give me a ring when I go to him.
He's honest and true, well that's what he tells,
he says I must be true to him as well.'

'No! Oh no no no,
no girl of mine will cross the sea
for this young boy's glee.
He'd have you follow him but no,
a father's love can see beyond a young girl's dream.
Daughter, you'll take heed.'

'Father dear, my heart will break.
My true love overseas I will not foresake.
I'll die of grief if you keep me here,
oh do you wish to kill me, father dear?'

'Daughter dear, your love was banished from town.
He shamed the girls and he stole from all around.
He only wants a wife to keep him from the cells.
These boys are not as true as they might tell.'

'No! Oh no no no,
no girl of mine will cross the sea
for this young boy's glee.
He'd have you follow him but no,
a father's love can see beyond a young girl's dream.
Daughter, you'll take heed.'
Track Name: Mr Officer: 'Slow down Mr Officer, I'm not looking for a fight you see.
Slow down Mr Officer, I'm not looking for a fight you see.
But sir, Mr Officer, you have only just arrived.
So sir, Mr Officer, how will you know just what happened tonight?'

'Slow down Mr Officer, I am sure that I can help.
Oh sir, Mr Officer, that boy has just arrived himself.
Oh sir, Mr Officer, he won't know what to say,
so sir, Mr Officer, there's no need to take him away...'

'No sir, Mr Officer, I won't go home to bed,
'cause sir, Mr Officer, after this, you'll go home to bed.
But sir, Mr Officer, that boy's in jail tonight
and though he is innocent, he could be facing the jail for life.'

'Slow down Mr Officer, slow down Mr Officer,
I'm not looking for a fight sir.
Slow down Mr Officer, slow down Mr Officer,
what has happened tonight, sir?'

'Oh sir, Mr Officer, I wish I hadn't seen
the sight of a guilty man, with no remorse showing in him.
And sir, Mr Officer, I wish I could erase
the sound of a dying boy, praying for God to end his pain.'

'So sir, Mr Officer, I tell you honestly,
that boy who you've taken in is not the guilty man you seek.
But sir, Mr Officer, if you pervert the course,
one dead, one imprisoned, but two boys will lose their lives by force.

Two boys will lose their lives by force.
Track Name: Far From Home: There was a young boy. He thought he was a man.
He'd done a lot of work, he'd seen a lot of lands.
He loved the water, he loved the wind through his hair,
he loved the country, and the city dear.
He was always far from home, but he knew he'd always come home.
He had a calling that was so far from home.
My mama told me not to hang onto him.
She said, 'He'll leave you for other things,
and he might still love you, but he wants to see the world too.
He has a calling, it might not be with you.'
I didn't listen, I couldn't help myself.
He was perfect, he was something else.
He made me happy, for a while, he did.
I wouldn't go back and change a single thing.
But it got too hard for me to see how happy he could be,
to be without me. I wanted him to be free.
He was always far from home, but he knew he'd always come home.
He had a calling that was so far from home.
He was always far from home, but he knew he'd always come home.
He had a calling that was so far from home. ©Kelly Oliver
Track Name: Caledonia: I don't know if you can see the changes that have come over me
in these last few days, I've been afraid we might drift away.
I've been telling old stories, singing songs that make me think about where I've come from.
That's the reason why I seem so far away today.

So let me tell you that I love you, and I think about you all the time./
Caledonia you're calling me, now I'm going home.
And if I should become a stranger, know that it would make me more than sad.
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had.

Now I've moved and I've kept on moving, proved the points that I needed proving.
I've lost the friends I needed losing, found others on the way.
Why I've kissed the lads and left them crying, stolen dreams, yes there's no denying.
I've travelled on with conscience flying somewhere in the wind.

So let me tell you that I love you, and I think about you all the time./
Caledonia you're calling me, now I'm going home.
And if I should become a stranger, know that it would make me more than sad.
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had.

Now I'm sitting here before the fire, an empty room and a forest choir.
The flames have cooled, don't get any higher. Withered, now they're gone.
But I'm steady thinking my way is clear, I know just what I will do tomorrow.
The hands have shaken, the kisses blown, then I'll disappear.
Track Name: A Gush of Wind: Her daddy worked as a miller in France,
and her mama was a miller's child.
And so it came that Bernadette was born,
and she lived a happy life.

Until tragedy fell where Bernadette was living.
She woke to find her baby brother had died.
It was the start of the sadness and shame,
and the blessings yet to come.

Industry thrived, her daddy faced a challenge from the town.
His flour couldn't buy the bread they would need.
They had to sell the mill and leave their home.
They had to face the world alone.

They had to move away. Live in a dungeon
where the prisoners used to play.
Where you wouldn't leave an animal to stay,
they had to spend their days.

The family name was shamed, they were accused of stealing.
They took her daddy away and he was soon imprisoned.
He said, 'I'm innocent, would you let me go home?'
They finally let him home.

And Bernadette was scared, and her daddy said, 'Listen,
just keep us in your prayers, the Lord above will listen.'
Bernadette prayed at night, praying one day they'd be saved.
They'd be saved. Praying one day, they'd be saved.

They walked to the stream. Bernadette and her sister
walked to the stream to bring the firewood.
They walked to the stream, when Bernadette heard a noise,
like a gush of wind.
Track Name: Off to the Market: 'Off to the market we'll go, we'll search high and we'll search low.
For we're looking for a girl to bring all the old and young boys in.
See that girl at the side of the road? She's been taken from her home,
but she's young and she'll do us proud. We'll buy her for ninety pounds.'

'Off to the market we'll go, we'll search high and we'll search low.
For we're looking for a body to buy. Then we'll take the bones and eyes,
heart, blood, liver and skin. We'll sell it all for half a million.'
'Organ trade is underground, but we'll supply if you pay in pounds.'

'Off to the market we'll go, we'll search high and we'll search low.
For we're looking for a pistol to buy. And a rifle and a carbine.
We've to calm an angry mob, so make sure they do the job.'
'Gunrunning is the way of the land, take all three for half a grand.'

'Off to the market we'll go, we'll search high and we'll search low.
We're looking for an animal hide, we don't care how many of them died.
We're looking for a tiger's fur, and we don't care how they killed her.
A hunter kills a rhino down, sells the horn for five hundred thousand pounds.
Track Name: Grandpa was a Stoker: See, see the sights with me. Breathe, breathe the air with me.
And we'll gather the oars, or fasten the sails,
and learn a new song, and learn a new tale,
for when we sail.
Say, say goodbye to your child. Tell, tell your lover to smile.
'And I don't wish to leave you, I know it'll hurt,
but we have to live, so I have to work.
So I must sail.'
Work though day and night, loading cargo on board.
Load the tonnes of supplies, five thousand or more.
And repair all the boilers, and check the machines,
and wash the decks, they need to be clean,
for when we sail.
Feed, feed the coal to the fire. Feel, feel the burn of the fire.
And attend to the furnace and challenge the heat.
And you're going mad, but 'stay on your feet!
For we must sail.'
No escape from the pain of it, 'til you're safe in your bed.
No one cares for the signs that you're going mad in your head.
And you've friends that can stand it, and friends that flee.
They jump the ship, so they can be free.
Free from the ship that sails.
Tell, tell the story again. Tell, tell of Grandpa again.
Grandpa worked as a stoker, he worked on his feet.
The work was hard, you wouldn't believe.
For so the ships could sail. ©Kelly Oliver
Track Name: Playing with Sand: There were five brothers and a baby girl,
they lived respectably in the Eastern part of the world.
Their father worked his way to the head of the railway.
Their mother, she was in a class of her own.

The boys were growing older, the boys were growing tall.
The father knew they'd have to leave for his boys to succeed at all.
'We'll have to leave our home, travel across the world,
we'll have to leave behind everything we know.'

'What did you do in school? You played with sand?
That's not the reason we brought you to this land.'

And so they sold their home, sold their silver and gold.
They said goodbye to their servants and their friends of old.
The father left his job, he knew his boys would never
have the chance to work like him if they didn't leave there forever.

'What did you do in school? You played with sand?
That's not the reason we brought you to this land.'

The boys came home from school and told their ma about their day.
They said 'We sang some songs and they found games for us to play.'
'But you know how to write, and you know how to read,
and you know how to count', cried the mother in disbelief.

'They wouldn't let us write, they wouldn't let us read.
“You don't know how to count, you're just a child from overseas.”
The other boys in class are just as old as we but
they don't know how to write, they don't know how to read.'

'What did you do in school? You played with sand?
That's not the reason we brought you to this land.'

'They don't think you can write? Write the scriptures on the board.
They don't think you can count? Count to a thousand or more.
They don't think you can read? Show the books you read for fun.
The won't make fools of my sons. They won't think fools of my sons.'

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