Dave Clemo & Friends- Princess Flora

Dave Clemo & Friends- Princess Flora

I first heard ‘The Princess Royal’ on the 1972 album ‘Morris On’’ which featured folk rock luminaries Richard Thompson, Ashley Hutchings, Dave Mattacks, Barry Dransfield and John Kirkpatrick. I had just joined a traditional folk group after several years learning my trade with a rock group in West London. I had been a fan of Fairport Convention since 1967 and loved their album ‘Liege and Lief’. ‘Morris On’ was an ever constant on my record player and I loved their version of ‘The Princess Royal’ Morris dancing tune so much that I taught it to the folk group as we played folk clubs, pubs and sessions around West London in the early 70s.
I grew up in Cornwall and was familiar with the Flora Dance which takes place in Helston every May. I created this mash-up of the two tunes as part of a projected album of songs and tunes inspired by my Cornish roots.
I scoured the internet and found a clip of a group of Morris dancers. Their dancing more or less matched the tempo of my recording, likewise the film of the couples dancing down the street in Helston seemed to fit as well, so I put this video together using Openshot software
I played guitar, mandolin and bass, Vince Gorman played guitar and cittern, Rai Clews played cajon and the track was finished off with the late Stevie Poole’s button accordion playing. Hope you like it!