The Ballad and the Source

Produced by John Cohen. 16 min. Color. 1983. Available as: VHS and DVD Captioned: No Catalog #: 0040 Order this title Sale Price: $195.00 Apply for Discount

The tradition of unaccompanied ballad singing is very old and still cherished in Great Britain, though only a few traditional singers are still alive. This sensitive musical portrait profiles the life and art of Walter Pardon, perhaps the finest living traditional English ballad singer.

This classic documentary, produced by noted filmmaker, photographer, and folk singer John Cohen, is an incisive exploration of a dying tradition.

Reviews

"Takes the time to share with us... the deep value of music making." -- Journal for the Society for Ethnomusicology