Performances of traditional folk songs these days tend to fall into two broad categories: studious re-enactments of some imagined origins in search of "authenticity", or ironic aping of a supposed "primitive". In either case, the possibility that the songs might have their own life in the here-and-now, without some theatrical dressing-up or postmodern detachment, seems to be ignored. Poor Folk forswears such detachment, and attempts to take these songs at face value. I don't pretend to be some folkie blown in from the Dust Bowl, nor do I don the knowing guise of an "alt-country" hipster. Attempting instead to inhabit each song uniquely, I try to bring to these tunes an unsentimental but sincere belief in the world that each creates. As all the songs here are familiar from the various folk repertoires, I do not seek to suppress echoes of classic performances and arrangements, but I also do not hesitate to introduce new stances and inflections where they seem to fit organically.

All these songs were recorded in a single session of approximately three hours in St. Petersburg, Russia, in early 2008. The recordings might best be considered to comprise a single performance, with the rendition of each song constituting just one off-the-cuff take on "how it goes". I am not a regular performer, and these takes do not represent "polished" arrangements. (I'm certainly no fancy guitarist.)

In some cases, such as with "Duncan and Brady" and "Come All Ye Fair and Tender Ladies", the lyrics and melodies have been compiled from a number of sources, and on a few tunes the mildest of effects or multi-tracking have been introduced. But generally these are "as they happened", warts and all.