Kitty Jay (album)


Kitty Jay is a music album by Seth Lakeman published in 2004. It is his second album that he published as a principal performer. It was shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize for 2005. "All of these songs have been written and inspired by stories and legends from Dartmoor" where Lakeman was brought up and still resides.

Background of each track

The inspiration for each track is briefly described in the programme notes.

"John Lomas"

John Lomas was a servant who fell in love with his mistress, and his passion for her leads him to murder.

"The Bold Knight"

This piece was inspired by a story that Mr Lakeman heard. It is about a knight lying injured upon a moor, not knowing what fate will befall upon him, until a girl arrives to save him, but she dies herself for that kind act.

"Fight For Favour"

A song about the battle to claim land when people began to emigrate to America.

"Kitty Jay"

This piece is about the servant girl, Kitty Jay, who killed herself on the moors. Her grave lies out of Ashburton towards Hound Tor, at a crossroads where fresh flowers lay. This piece was performed at the Mercury Music Prize.

"Farewell My Love"

No further information.

"Blood Upon Copper"

About suffering men who worked for weeks on end at a copper mine.

"Henry Clark"

Henry Clark was a well loved shipbuilder from Plymouth who suffered from a strange fate.

"The Storm"

One of Mr Lakeman's stories that he was told, about a captain and his crew who sailed out of Plymouth Sound, and as night draws in a storm is brewing.

"Cape Clear"

A mournful melody performed in a church in Buckland Monachorum.

"The Ballad of Josie"

About a couple who go for a walk one morning. The man returns alone, but the woman is never seen again.

"The Streamers"

Based on a traditional melody called "The Stream of Lovely Nancy".

Track listing

  1. "John Lomas" – 3:52
  2. "The Bold Knight" – 3:51
  3. "Fight For Favour" – 4:03
  4. "Kitty Jay" – 3:12
  5. "Farewell My Love" – 2:22
  6. "Blood Upon Copper" – 3:04
  7. "Henry Clark" – 3:02
  8. "The Storm" – 2:41
  9. "Cape Clear" – 4:20
  10. "The Ballad of Josie" – 3:25
  11. "The Streamers" – 2:43

    Personnel