Once I saw him in the moonlight when the bats they were flying all alone I saw the werewolf and the werewolf was crying

Barry Dransfield (born 1947 in Harrogate, North Yorkshire), is an English folk singer, fiddler, cellist and guitarist. He has appeared as a session musician on numerous albums by other artists, and has released his own albums as well. The Rout of the Blues (1971) was voted Melody Maker folk album of the year. His 1972 album for Polydor called Barry Dransfield was voted the rarest folk album in Record Hunter, and original copies are worth c£400 (the title in this listing). Unlike most fiddlers (but like some Appalachian players) he is comfortable playing in the “off the chest” position, instead of under the chin. Together with his brother Robin, he was a member of a bluegrass/old-time band while still in his teens. Always innovative, he generally avoids electric instruments. The instrumental Blacksmith, on Fiddler’s Dream, is a complex set of variations in the style of Paganini. He has also scored music for films and television, including S.O.S. Titanic, Adelaide Harris, Play Away, Samson and Delilah (1985), Ballymena Opera House and The Wreck of the Julie Plante (1985). He acted the part of the blind fiddler in The Bounty (1984) (starring Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins). In 1986, he changed career to become a so-called ‘Fiddle Doctor’, repairing violins and cellos. In 1994, he joined the Steeleye Span UK tour.

The album title given above is on the spine of the LP, but not on the front of the sleeve. Therefore, it is usually referred to as Barry Dransfield.

This is the Record Store Day August 2020 reissue of the album originally released in 1972 on the Polydor label as part of the Folk Mill series. It’s advertised on the official RSD website as being orange vinyl but other sources say that it’s green.

Tracklisting: