Derby is being put on the musical map this year via an unusual source - an ultra-hip lo-fi country-rock group. The Anomoanon have named their new album 'The Derby Ram' in homage to the 19th Century song about this local creature. Singer and mainman, Ned Oldham, explained: "In a nutshell, we’re mother goose fanatics and have now made two albums with lyrics taken from what are considered mother goose rhyme.  | | Cover art for The Derby Ram |
"The Derby Ram struck us as a good leading image because the statue is so cool - we found it on the web and contacted the sculptor - and the song is reputed to have been a great favorite of George Washington." The song is thought to date back to 1867 and tells the story of a magnificent Ram encountered whilst on the way to market in Derbyshire. There are varying accounts of the origin of the song and there are different versions of its lyrics. But the tradition of the Derby Ram has been maintained and the animal is featured at special occasions, such as the Queen's jubilee visit to Pride Park in 2002. While many won't have heard of The Anomoanon, more will have heard of Ned's other band the Palace Brothers which features his siblings Paul and Will Oldham (Will is also known for his solo work as Bonnie Prince Charlie). Known for their downbeat, melancholy country songwriting, The Anomoanon is a chance for Ned to indulge his more whimsical folky side. Released on import on July 5th, The Derby Ram has received positive reviews - though it looks unlikely to break through to the mainstream. But if Eminem calls his next album 'Nine Ladies' or REM name their comeback single 'The Albert Street Hole', then you'll know what they've been listening to! You said: Time travel and prophecy
Kev Andrews Underneath the arches down paradise way, a famous song last century was written about friagate bridge in Derby.
Kev Andrews Will Oldham also records as Bonnie Prince Billy (not Charlie)!!
Steve H A fantastic band from Brighton called 'The Electric Soft Parade' made a similar move not too long ago, naming their album 'The American Adventure' after a certain local theme park...
Indie Guy Interesting, but how do you explain an album released last year by Lightyear called "Chris's Gentlemen's Hairdresser And Railway Bookshop"? Visitors to the emporium of that name on Macklin Street would like to know, I'm sure!
Howard Sprenger If the song "The Derby Ram" was written in 1867, how was it a great favourite of George Washington who died in 1799 ???
History Man
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