The Young Tradition

The Young Tradition were practitioners of a decidedly old tradition when compared with the folk-rock groups of their period. Their 1966 self-titled debut album showed the trio to be dedicated scholars, taking the trouble to unearth the most authoritative and authentic versions of the songs in their repertory. By 1967, they'd added guest musicians to the mix on their second album, So Cheerfully Round, including fiddlers and additional vocalists. They cut their final album, Galleries, in 1968, which showed yet another change in direction, toward medieval music, with the Early Music Ensemble led by David Munrow backing them. There was also an EP, Chicken on a Raft, released that same year. The Young Tradition split up in the early '70s following a farewell concert at the Cecil Sharpe House in London. Recorded in 1969, the archival release The Holly Bears the Crown, with Shirley and Dolly Collins, appeared in 1995.