Mary Anne Paterson - Me (Rare UK Folk 1970-her only album)

Scottish folksinger Mary-Anne Paterson made a nice if modest acoustic traditional-oriented album in 1970, Me. It matched her high, clear vocals, acoustic guitars, and flute with sparse echoed production and very occasional touches of acid folk and pop, though overall the LP had a haunting medieval tone. Most of the songs on the record were traditional folk tunes, though she did write a couple of them herself. Paterson fell into a recording career somewhat by accident in the late '60s, when she was a drama teacher who wrote songs for educational television on the side. A friend convinced her to go to London to make a demo in late 1969, though she did so primarily in hopes of raising money for a children's art center she hoped to set up. Me was done in one session around the beginning of 1970, Paterson backed by some buskers from a London tube station with whom she barely rehearsed, and never saw again. In fact, not many people ever saw the album itself; as she was interested in starting her arts center rather than establishing a professional career, she didn't promote it with any concerts, and no publicity was done on the LP's behalf. In subsequent decades, Paterson worked as a teacher and wrote songs for TV and radio, with Me getting reissued on CD in 2006.
By Richie Unterberger

Incredible voice and amazing guitar playing. “The water is wide” has beautiful lyrics and melody and the rest of the album is just amazing folk/ acid folk. Most songs are traditional, but there are some Mary Ann’s compositions too. Great “Black girl” cover. “Opera” style singing!
Highly recommended!!
Don’t miss it!!

(Includes artwork)

Get it!