Murder, Misery and Then Goodnight is Kristin Hersh

Kristin Hersh

Kristin Hersh is an American singer/songwriter who performs solo acoustic concerts; she also continues to perform as lead singer and guitarist for alternative rock group Throwing Muses and the hardcore punk-influenced power trio 50 Foot Wave...

's third solo album and quite a departure from her other solo recordings, in that it contains solely Appalachian folk songs about murder and death arranged by Kristin Hersh

Kristin Hersh

Kristin Hersh is an American singer/songwriter who performs solo acoustic concerts; she also continues to perform as lead singer and guitarist for alternative rock group Throwing Muses and the hardcore punk-influenced power trio 50 Foot Wave...

, rather than songs written by Kristin herself. Hersh's son, Ryder James O'Connell, plays piano and sings backing vocals.

Produced by Kristin Hersh

Kristin Hersh

Kristin Hersh is an American singer/songwriter who performs solo acoustic concerts; she also continues to perform as lead singer and guitarist for alternative rock group Throwing Muses and the hardcore punk-influenced power trio 50 Foot Wave...

, co-produced by Steve Rizzo and Billy O'Connell. Engineered by Steve Rizzo.

Track listings

All tracks traditional, arranged by Kristin Hersh

1. "Down in the Willow Garden
   Down in the Willow Garden
   "Down in the Willow Garden", also known as "Rose Connelly" is a traditional Appalachian murder ballad about a man facing the gallows for the murder of his lover: he gave her poisoned wine, stabbed her, and threw her in a river. It originated in the 19th century, probably in Ireland, before becoming...
   
   "
2. "I Never Will Marry"
3. "Sweet Roseanne"
4. "Poor Ellen Smith"
5. "Pretty Polly"
   Pretty Polly (ballad)
   "Pretty Polly", "The Gosport Tragedy" or "The Cruel Ship's Carpenter" is a traditional English-language folk song found in the British Isles, Canada, and the Appalachian region of North America, among other places....
   
   
6. "Little Birdy"
7. "Mama’s Gonna Buy"
8. "Fly Around My Blue Eyed Girl"
9. "Banks Of The Ohio
   Banks of the Ohio
   "Banks of the Ohio" is a 19th century murder ballad, written by unknown authors, in which "Willie" invites his young lover for a walk during which she rejects his marriage proposal. Once they are alone on the river bank, he murders the young woman....
   
   "
10. "Three Nights Drunk"
11. "What’ll We Do With The Baby-o"
12. "Whole Heap Of Little Horses"

External links

• Murder, Misery and Then Goodnight album page at 4AD