This is another song by Alela Diane which comes from the Alela & Alina EP (2009) featuring Alina Hardin. On this particular EP, old and new songs arranged with splendid harmonies alternate seamlessly. It includes three compositions, a cover of Townes Van Zandt’s Rake and two traditional ballad (Matty Groves and Bowling Green).
Matty Groves appears in the Child Ballads collection (#81) and the song seems to date back to the 17th century. As is often the case with traditional folk songs, several versions and settings coexist, but Alela Diane quotes English Folk-Rock band Fairport Convention as the main source for her version. The band recorded Matty Groves in 1969 with Sandy Denny on lead vocals.
