The South African Rock Encyclopedia > Rock Legends > 1960s > Mel, Mel & Julian > Discography > Ethnic / Schmethnic
A compilation of tracks from the 3 albums released between 1965 and 1967.
Tracks
- Katy Cline from Songs About Mines. People, Places & One Train
- The Water Is Wide from Miscellanea (as There Is A Ship), see comments below
- Little Beggarman from Songs About Mines. People, Places & One Train
- Ox Driver’s Song from One More Town
- Ramble Away from Songs About Mines. People, Places & One Train
- Gypsy Rover from Miscellanea
- Mary Anne from Songs About Mines. People, Places & One Train
- Irish Rover from Miscellanea
- Sinner Man from Miscellanea
- Van Dieman’s Land from Songs About Mines. People, Places & One Train
- Hangman from One More Town
- Let Me Fly from Songs About Mines. People, Places & One Train
- Banks Of The Ohio from Songs About Mines. People, Places & One Train
Release information
CD: 2002, MLG Limited Editions
Streaming / Download: 2002, MLG Limited Editions
Comments
The Water Is Wide / There Is A Ship
I had wanted to include this wonderful old English folk song in our repertoire and I also insisted that I sing lead on it, which Mel Miller and Julian Laxton graciously allowed this primarily harmony singer to do. On the recording, Julian who had discovered the power of experimentation and innovation, added electric guitar, and I asked the resident arranger, the famous South African band leader, Dan Hill to add a string quartet.
Mel Green
The players (unfortunately unnamed) were members of the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra, and boy, can they play!
Mel Green wrote in a comment on the “1001 South African Songs You Must Hear Before You Go Deaf” website that “… the band also recorded this gem for their third LP “Miscellanea” …” and “The first time the group ever heard the entire track with strings was when they received their copies of the vinyl LP!”.
It was titled “There Is A Ship” on the “Miscellanea” album and as “The Water Is Wide” on the “Ethnic / Schmethnic” compilation.
Brian Currin, January 2025
Artwork
The evolution of the cover from “Songs About Mines. People, Places & One Train” to “Ethnic / Schmethnic”.
