A Phantom Ballad from the Country

We're off visiting friends in the country, enjoying a rest before spring and summer bring on their flood of busy-ness. But we see the signs of spring here and there; snowdrops and crocuses are blooming.

We take an afternoon walk across some old farm fields, and look over some crumbling buildings. We're back at our host's home for a good meal. After dark, we're gathered around the fireside, reading and conversing, when someone brings out a guitar and sings an old ballad...



We trade glances...we DID walk across that hayfield, and past a crumbling old hayrick. But come on, this ballad could apply to any old farm field, right? But then a cry rises from that direction; of course, it could be just a barn owl...but still....

Dean Gitter was a record producer who was responsible for Odetta's first album, and also recorded this album of traditional ghost ballads. (As far as I can tell, it's his only recording.) He's also a noted real-estate developer, venture capitalist, and meditation teacher. Yes, you read that last one right.

I may start featuring more ghastly ballads as a change from the usual classical stuff. We'll see how things develop....