Morning Stands on Tiptoe

Liner Note Authors: Dave Arthur; Toni Arthur; Dave Wells .
Recording information: Livingston Studios, Barnet, Hertfordshire, England (1967).
Author: Cecil Sharp.
Arrangers: Dave Arthur; Toni Arthur.
Segments of the 1960s British folk revival could be yet more traditional than most of the traditional folk being recorded and performed in the same decade by North Americans, even when the musicians were youthful. Such was the case with the married couple Dave & Toni Arthur, whose 1967 debut album was comprised entirely of traditional British folk tunes, rendered primarily a cappella. There are occasional dabs of accordion and recorder (and no guitar), but in the main, the tracks feature only the duo's voices, usually in close harmony. Other British acts were using a similar approach around the time, particularly the Watersons and the Young Tradition, a primary difference among them being that the Watersons were a quartet, the Young Tradition a trio, and the Arthurs a duo. Dave & Toni Arthur were less known than those other acts, and their recorded output not as extensive or impressive, but Morning Stands on Tiptoe will still appeal to those who like their British folk stoic and stark. The 15 songs bring to mind an England of simple struggles, crimes, and pleasures, populated by drinkers, poachers, and wayfaring strangers, related with unwaveringly faithful documentation. Unlike many another traditional female folk singers from the era, Toni Arthur does not favor an ultra-high vocal timbre, which makes for a nice contrast to some of the better-known recordings of this type, though it's not enough to make this an outstanding effort. [The 2009 U.K. CD reissue on Cherry Tree adds detailed historical notes and the 1965 pop-folk single they did as the Strollers, which has light backup instrumentation (including guitar and drums) that make those the tracks of most interest to '60s British pop fans.] ~ Richie Unterberger