Description
Release Date Friday 9th October 2026
All pre-orders will be dispatched/made ready for collection on that day.
Acclaimed fiddlers Sam Sweeney and Grace Smith unveil their debut duo
album, Morning Of May, a record that explores the rich possibilities of two
fiddles in conversation within the English instrumental tradition
The pairing of two fiddles is a familiar sound in many folk traditions, but it has been
heard less frequently in English traditional music. Morning of May, a new album from
Sam Sweeney and Grace Smith, sets out to discover what happens when two fiddlers
meet with this repertoire: taking turns carrying the melody, as the other takes a
"seconding" role, weaving harmony and rhythm around the tune, elevating it and subtly
reshaping the ground beneath it.
Sweeney and Smith immersed themselves in a wide range of manuscripts and tune
collections, delving into some of the more obscure sources. Within these archives,
they found tunes that felt unexplored and rich with possibility. Some tunes arrived as
complete hidden gems. Others required some restoration, their rough edges gently
smoothed through the process of playing. Others were tiny fragments, inspiring
almost total reimaginings. Alongside these old tunes sit a few original compositions
by Sam Sweeney and Grace Smith, written in the same spirit of curiosity and
continuity that informs their approach to archive material.
Morning of May is a powerful and poignant recognition that no musical tradition exists
in isolation. The album embraces the important reality that English traditional music
has always been shaped by movement, encounters and exchange. Throughout the
album, listeners might hear traces of Scottish, Irish, French or Scandinavian influence -
not as external additions, but as part of the fabric of the tradition itself.
Sam Sweeney and Grace Smith's music celebrates England's rich heritage. Not an
imagined purity, but a living tradition: a repertoire whose strength lies precisely in its
ability to welcome new influences while retaining its own distinct character. The result
is an album that feels both ancient and immediate. Rather than presenting a definitive
statement, Morning of May marks the beginning of an exploration.
Tracks: Dawning of the Day / Brow of the Hill - A Round Minuet / The Badger - The
Boar / Berely Square - Cupid's Frolic / Morning of May / Round Hill Wood - The
Rowling Bet / Trip to Bury - Four Maids / Brian O'Neil / Dissembling Love / The Louisa
- Old Tom / The Gentlemen's Wedding - Kate Dalrymple / Robin Hood / Green Man
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for looking at our listing, below are a few points to consider before making a purchase:
- All records we sell are Brand New - pre-orders will normally come sealed but if you are purchasing in stock items, please note the copy may have been unsealed for display in the shop. Please email straight after purchase to enquire if this is of importance to you.
- Orders won't ship until all items are released, so keep this in mind when purchasing multiple pre-orders or a mix of in stock and pre-order items.
- The 'Product' page will show the most up to date info we have with regards to the item and its release date, but this information is subject to change so check in with us if you have any questions.
- We unfortunately don't offer tax/vat outside of the UK via the website so please keep in mind that when the items arrives in your country you may be liable to pay a further charge before delivery. (all UK orders the price you see is the price you will pay). Please also note that we are unable to adjust the declared value on items sold internationally.
Payment & Security
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.