Rita Perry, "Red Rocking Chair," // GemsOnVHS™

This was recorded during my time in Ireland with the Mary Wallopers. I had the opportunity to record with a variety of artists while I was there, and one was Rita Perry. She was kind enough to invite me to her house in Cavan, Ireland. I'd describe the area as a rustic, countryside type of spot, not all that unfamiliar to folks like me, who live in the same type of surroundings in America. Fitting then that she played this old American folk tune, Red Rockin Chair (you might be familiar with the oldest recorded version by Dock Boggs    • Dock Boggs - "Sugar Baby" [Official A...  .

Accompanying Rita here is her father, Robbie, an absolute gem of a gent who had us rolling with laughter when he wasn't busy playing some very tasteful banjo. They are both truly good people, opened their home to me and made me feel like I lived there myself, family. This is the type of music I very much live for; not on a stage, but played at a kitchen table, shared between family, enjoyed best with a morning cup of coffee. So to Rita, i'm sorry it took so long to get this one out, but it wasn't for any lacking on your end. I hope we cross paths in the future!

Some words about Rita;
"Rita Perry is a musician who draws inspiration from her Irish-Catalan background in a wealth of traditions and aspiring futures. Her work ranges from live film scoring to intimate acoustic collaborations, singing in a mixture of English, Catalá and Castellaño to avoid being understood.

Keep an eye out for some of Rita’s exciting recording projects coming down the pipeline soon.

Often collaborating with her father Robbie Perry, she sits down with him in their kitchen to sing Red Rocking Chair, a traditional Appalachian song. The song also goes by the alternative titles Red Apple Juice; Sugar Baby; Honey Baby; I Ain’t Got No Honey Baby Now; with its earliest recordings by “Dock” Boggs, 1927 and Doc Hopkins, 1932. The song's floating verses possibly link it to the Child No. 76, The Lass of Roch Royal. As these things go, the song has travelled back and forth across the pond and landed at this particular table. "


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