Susan Reed

 

Susan Reed

Susan Reed

Production Supervision: Jax Holzman

Cover Design: Harvey

Cover Photo: Guyon

Elektra EKL-116

1957

From the back cover: Susan Reed, a gentle and sensitive artist, made her first album for Elektra – Susan Reed Sings Old Airs, EKL-126 – October 1954. The response was heartwarming and there followed a string of request for another recording, the present one. More recently, Miss Reed has recorded a children's album, Songs For The Wee Folk, EKL-163.

Accompanying herself on harp or zither, Susan sings many familiar songs in her fine musical way. Of her song, she says: "Now, after touring the country singing a whole evening of these songs, I have come to think of each one as an old friend. Each time I sing about Barbara Allen, for example, I find out something new about her character. Some of the songs I was excited about when I first discovered them have not held up as well as others. Most of them have a deeper meaning for me now after ten years of singing them. Some, like friends, drop out for a while, then turn up again."

The three Louisiana French folk songs come form a people who migrated first from Acadia, Nova Scotia, all the way down to Louisiana – a migration immortalized in the Longfellow poem, Evangeline. Recently, the State of Louisiana celebrated the 200th anniversary of this voyage by these people. For the occasion, ESSO Standard Oil contributed a documentary film, produced in the Bayou by Arnold Eagle, Susan Reed arranged and sang the songs as background music. The film, called The Pirogue-Maker ("pirogue" is the name of their canoe-like boats), was given to the state. It was awarded prizes at the Venice Film Festival and the Edinburgh Festival, and acclaimed with the Flaherty and Scholastic Awards.

From Billboard - May 6, 1957: Susan Reed's voice has a purity and sweetness that have earned her a devoted following. This second albums for Elektra will be snapped up by those who know her work. Others should sample her eloquently simple approach to "Greensleeves," "Molly Malone" or "Venezuela." Dealers with a folk clientele can order without hesitation.

Black Is The Color

The Old Woman

I'm Sad And I'm Lonely

Drill, Ye Tarriers

Greensleeves

Go Away From My Window

A Mighty Ship

Mother, I Would Marry

Barbara Allen

Michie Banjo

Zelime

Gue, Gue

The Soldier And The Lady

Molly Malone

Three White Gulls

Venezuela

If I Had A Ribbon Bow

Miss Bailey

Danny Boy