Gingham Down

New for summer 2008, we present our album Gingham Down, featuring traditional song from around the world mostly in our own original arrangements. As well as folk songs from England, Scotland, Italy, Quebec and ex-Soviet Georgia, there are three songs from the American shapenote or Sacred Harp tradition.

You can listen to complete tracks from Gingham Down on Last.FM, and buy individual tracks as mp3s (there's one free download), or buy the whole album either as a download or a physical CD on CD Baby. You may find it on sale at festivals, but if you're in the UK the best way of getting hold of a copy is to buy it from us, either in person at one of our events or by mail order. It costs £10 plus £1 postage and packing, which can be paid via cheque or PayPal. Email us at and all will be made clear.

Previously not available in any shops (unless you order it specially that is), Gingham Down is now on sale for £9.99 at Glasgow's excellent CD emporium, Classics in the City: 54 Dundas Street, Glasgow G1 2AQ.

Gingham Down was recently reviewed in Folk North West magazine by Derek Gifford, who writes:
This group of a capella singers will be well known to many of the Folk North West readership having appeared at Fylde and Chorley Festivals over recent years. Their six fine voices blend and harmonise with ease and the arrangements, mostly worked out by Katy Cooper (soprano) and Harry Campbell (tenor), are innovative and exciting.
By now you will have guessed that I’m something of a fan of theirs!
But it isn’t just the musicality of their performances because this lot will attempt virtually anything in terms of their choice of material. Therefore on this CD you get Sacred Harp, traditional folk song, Italian and French-Canadian songs and even a Georgian toasting song called ‘Benia’s Mravalzhamier’ which defies pronunciation let alone singing out!
Of the more familiar traditional songs their arrangement of ‘Thousands or More’ (Bright Phoebus), which they nonchalantly call a warm up song, is very enjoyable and Phil Tanner’s version of ‘Off to Sea Once More’ is likewise delivered in good style. One of the most unusual and effective arrangements however is of ‘Because My Love Loves Me’ which although a well known song sounds very different here. One of my favourite tracks is the lilting ‘The Gowans Are Gay’ (Gowans are daises by the way) which flows so easily.
There are some folk who might find their delivery of the songs a little ‘classical’ in style but as I personally don’t like classical singing but I DO like this lot I don’t think anyone should have problems with their performances.
Anyone who has seen their live stage act will know that their presentation is lively and fun loving as well as highly professional and this atmosphere comes across well on this recording. Basically, it’s obvious they just like singing.
This highly recommended album is available from the group at their many gigs or visit their website at www.muldoonspicnic.org.uk. Great stuff!

Gingham Down is also reviewed in detail by David Kidman for NetRhythms.com:
"the team's proficiency seems boundless . . . a fascinating . . . whistle-stop Cook's Tour of acappella musics . . . each member of the group is commendably secure and individual lines are firmly and confidently managed . . . there's a sure-footed and healthily alfresco feel to this idiosyncratic musical picnic that's very winning"
(read more)

Fatea magazine:
Many of the great vocal harmony acts share blood as well as a great love of song, Muldoon's Picnic show that family is not an essential factor if you get the right voices together. "Gingham Down" highlights the global nature of the vocal only tradition, pulling songs together from across Europe and America as well as from these sacred isles. The songs are delivered with a real sense of respect as well as passion, almost as if they're tipping a nod towards the artists that have performed these songs before them, for some over several hundred years, but they leave space to personalise them.

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