This is the Ballad of Lola Montez, the Irish-born, world-traveled, king-conquering, gold-rush-chasing, eyebrow-raising and international-intrigue-provoking powerhouse of the 19th century. Be it her travels, triumphs or tribulations, a cursory review will reveal that every line of the lyrics is born of recorded history.
This song was originally a commission in 2016 and was performed by The Potato Monsters and Delories Dunn for Spanish artist, Miguel Angel Blanco’s exhibition “The Illusion of the Old West” in Madrid’s Thyssen-Bornemysza Museum. Fittingly, a plaque outside marks that the museum building was the site of another historic show by one of Lola’s documented lovers, pianist Franz Liszt.
Who better to bring Lola to life than the melodic maven of Sligo herself, Cathy Jordan. Apart from her earthy yet ethereal voice, her Americana connection in the trio, The Unwanted, and her history with Celtic legends, Dervish, all made Cathy a shoe-in for this genre-crossing track. Our great pals, Banter lend their lilting and vigorous melodeon (Simon Care) to add a Cajun-come-ceilidh flare. Throw in their drums (Tim Walker) and piano (Nina Zella), and “Donna Lola” gets a cinematic send-off with a ghostly ending engineered by Germán Gutiérrez Ross.
lyrics
Donna Lola
Born in Sligo, I wasn’t long for Grange
In Germany they said I was from Spain
In London I was Indian
Then I changed my name again
Thus the world beheld Donna Lola
You’re never gonna forget Donna Lola
You’re never gonna forget Donna Lola
If you don't know Lola Montez
That just means that I ain't done yet
You’re never gonna forget Donna Lola
No one on this earth would ever dare
To say I put on graces and airs
If you doubt my constitution
Watch me start a revolution
Then you'll never forget Donna Lola
As a muse I am a splendid thing
I've known composers, writers and a king
My Spanish beauty is unspoiled
And well preserved in inks and oils
You’re never gonna forget Donna Lola
I can hypnotize you with my Spider Dance
It left Australian miners in a trance
There's no stage with a better show
And I'll whip the man that says that it ain't so
Then he’ll never forget Donna Lola
There’s nothing in this world I’ve never seen
There’s nothing in this world I’ve never been
I've sailed the seas and evangelized
Of a woman's fight and of men who lie
You’re never gonna forget Donna Lola
credits
from Where to Now?,
released February 18, 2022
Vocals - Cathy Jordan
Guitar & voice - Garrett Wall
Banjo & Cajón - Robbie K. Jones
Bass - Dave Mooney
Trumpet & Voice - Howard Brown
Melodeon - Simon Care
Percussion - Tim Walker
Piano - Nina Zella
Track Dogs are an acoustic four piece based in Spain but hail from Ireland, the US and UK.
Taking their name from the NY subway maintenance teams this closely-knit group of ex-pats have opted for Cajón instead of drums and trumpet in place of electric guitar. Four-part harmonies steal the show.
"The antidote to a bad day"
Maverick ****
“Never in danger of overstaying their welcome”
R2 ****...more
supported by 8 fans who also own “Donna Lola (feat. Cathy Jordan & Banter)”
Its two fantastic bands cooperating to make something really special. A folk super group if ever there was one.
I love Donna Lola because of the story and because it is simply a great song done really well. upforit68
supported by 7 fans who also own “Donna Lola (feat. Cathy Jordan & Banter)”
John Drumbo French from Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band worked with Thompson on two albums along with Fred Frith and Henry Kaiser.
Those two French, Frith, Kaiser and Thompson albums led me to this.
Also, Richard Thompson taught Hugh Cornwell (of The Stranglers) how to play the bass guitar in a band when they were both at the same school (Emil and The Detectives?).
With a career spanning 50 years and playing with two of my heroes (French and Cornwell) Thompson has produced a fascinating EP. yellowcakeuf6
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