Lou Killen (1934-2013) was one of the most influential early pioneers of the British folksong revival. A prolific gatherer of songs and folklore, Killen worked with many of the giants of folk music on both British and American shores, including Pete Seeger and the Clancy Brothers. In the early '60s he recorded for the Topic label, and appeared on countless compilation albums (not listed below) as well as several records of his own. After emigrating to the United States in 1967, Killen became a member of the Clancy Brothers group, serving as the replacement for Tommy Makem, who had left for a solo career in 1970, and stayed with the band for most of the 'Seventies. Over the years Killen helped set the benchmark for the hyper-traditionalist wing of the British folk scene, both on solo albums and various collaborations. In 2010, Killen began to perform as a woman, adopting the name Louise Jo Killen, and fully transitioning in 2012. Here's a quick look at Killen's work...
Louis Killen & Isla Cameron "The Waters Of The Tyne" (Prestige Records, 1961) (LP)
Louis Killen "Ballads And Broadsides" (Topic Records, 1965) (LP)
Louis Killen "Sea Chanteys" (ESP Disc, 1968) (LP)
Louis Killen "50 South To 50 South" (South Street Seaport Museum, 1969) (LP)
Louis Killen & Peter Bellamy "Won't You Go My Way?" (Argo Records, 1971) (LP)
A collaboration with singer Peter Bellamy...
Louis Killen & The Clancy Brothers "Show Me The Way" (Audio Fidelity Records, 1972) (LP)
Louis Killen & The Clancy Brothers "Live On St. Patrick's Day" (Audio Fidelity, 1973) (LP)
Louis Killen & The Clancy Brothers "Save The Land!" (Audio Fidelity Records, 1974) (LP)
Louis Killen & Sally Killen "Bright Shining Morning" (Front Hall Records, 1975) (LP)
(Produced by Louis Killen & Sally Killen)
An excellent album of duets with his then-wife, Sally Killen (nee Sally Jennings), an American-born enthusiast of British traditional music whose voice perfectly compliments his plainspoken style. The repertoire is outstanding, as are their soulful, expressive vocals -- a seemingly simple, stripped-down sound that will appeal to fans of the Watersons or the Collins sisters. Highly recommended.
Louis Killen "Old Songs, Old Friends" (Front Hall Records, 1978) (LP)
(Produced by Louis Killen & Bill Spence)
A delightful set of English, Scottish and Australian folk tunes, including many classics known to fans of the style. Killen sings a capella or with modest self-accompaniment; he dubs his own harmony on "Ca' The Yowes," and it sounds so nice you wish he'd been more willing to "compromise" the purity of the music with technology... But the stripped-down sound suits him well, and as the album title suggests, this is all about the songs, and great ones they are, full of bawdy good humor and fine, spirited delivery from an old master of the style. Recommended!
Louis Killen "Gallant Lads Are We: Songs Of The British Industrial Revolution" (Collector, 1980) (LP)
(Produced by Joe Glazer & Louis Killen)
Killen sings strictly a capella on this understated set of workers' song, with lyrics that convey a wide variety of topics and sentiments, mostly laments rather than overt protests, and many that are pretty far off the beaten track. Most fo the songs are older topical songs dating back to the 19th Century, though there are more contemporary tunes as well, such as Cyril Tawney's "In The Sidings." Killen opts not to play the concertina on this album, but there are some particularly nice tracks where he records his own harmony vocals, such as "Aa Cud Hew," a mournful chant about coal miners contracting black lung disease. All in all, another fine album, this time with a distinctly topical focus.
Louis Killen "The Rose In June" (KnockOut Records, 1989)
Louis Killen "A Bonny Bunch" (KnockOut Records, 1993)
Louis Killen "Sailors, Ships And Chanteys, v.1" (KnockOut Records, 1995)
Louis Killen "Sailors, Ships & Chanteys, v.2: A Seaman's Garland" (KnockOut Records, 1997)
Louis Killen "The Rose In June" (Old & New Tradition, 2001)
This is an expanded edition of Killen's 1989 album, The Rose In June.
Louis Killen & The Clancy Brothers "Greatest Hits" (Vanguard Records, 1975) (LP)
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