Chris Foster Albums and Discography
Hadelin GMCD008
This is my seventh solo album. The songs on Hadelin have all sorts of connections with people and places that I have known over the years. Most of them bear the patina of age, but they are not museum pieces. They refer to the natural world, the rhythm of the seasons, birth, life, death, love, betrayal, the ebb and flow of the struggle for justice and human rights. All things that remain a constant, albeit shifting, backdrop to the human condition, from generation to generation. With this in mind, I invited Jim Moray to produce the album, and I sought out musicians of the next generation to join me in recording it, along with others who I have worked with over the years.
Track list
The seeds of love
The faithful plough
Once when I was young
The gardener
Rosie Ann
The holland handkerchief
The trees they grow so high
The tees they're all bare
The life of a man
Who reaps the profit? Who pays the price?
Spring song
Chris Foster: Vocals, Guitar and Hammered Dulcimer
Trevor Lines: Five string double bass
Jackie Oates: Five string viola and Vocals - www.jackieoates.co.uk
John Kirkpatrick: Button accordion and One-row melodeon and Vocals
Martin Brinsford: Tambourine
Gillian Stevens: Treble viol, Tenor viol and Bass viol
Bára Grímsdóttir, Amy Dawson, Simon Metson, Libby Metson and Jim Causley - www.jimcausley.co.uk : Vocals
All songs arranged by Chris Foster with the performers, except the string arrangement for The holland handkerchief and vocal arrangements on The trees they're all bare, Who reaps the profit? Who pays the price?
and Spring song by Bára Grímsdóttir.
Design by Inga Elsa Bergþórsdóttir
You can buy Hadelin as a CD or Digital Download album at:
In the meantime here are a few songs by way of a preview.
Producer: Jim Moray; www.jimmoray.co.uk
Assistant engineer: Dylan Fowler at Stiwdio Felin Fach; www.taithrecords.co.uk
Recorded May to September 2016 in Reykjavík, Iceland
Stiwdio Felin Fach, Abergavenny, Wales
and The Old School House, Bristol, England
Mastered by Minerva Pappi of Waudio, Finland; www.waudio.fi
Outsiders GMCD003 - released 23rd April 2008
11 songs that are all about people who 'don't fit in', who have found themselves at odds with the established norms of the society or community around them, either as victims or as activists or both.
Chris Foster: Vocals, Guitar and Langspil
Val Regan: Fiddle and Vocals
Ruth Angell: Fiddle and Viola
Laura Fiddaman: Cello
Trevor Lines: Double Bass and Hammered Dulcimer
Bára Grímsdóttir: Vocals and Kantele
Joe Broughton: Mandolin
Fraser Spiers: Harmonica
All songs arranged by Chris Foster with the performers, except the string arrangement for The False Bride by Bára Grímsdóttir.
Produced by Chris Foster
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Joe Broughton at SAE Studio, Birmingham, England
Reviews of Outsiders
… I am bowled over. This could be the best album of Chris's long career; thoughtful, passionate, intelligent, nerve-jangling performances. Vic Smith, The Folk Diary, England
His singing is both immediate and intimate, and conveys more passion and true understanding through its precision of diction and phrasing than many a more superficially emotive rendition, while the hallmark of his guitar work is its accomplished creation and sustaining of the ideal backdrop for the narratives, unobtrusive yet having a sense of presence that is wholly
complementary. David Kidman, England
You can buy Outsiders as a Compact Disc, as a Digital album or individual tracks at:
Jewels LTCD1102 - released 2004
Chris Foster vocal and guitar
Al songs traditional arranged Chris Foster
Produced by Chris Foster and Bára Grímsdóttir
Recorded at: Broad Oak Studio, Herefordshire, England
Engineer: Dave Wood
Executive producer: Pete Heywood for the Tradition Bearers Series
Photography by Bill Foster and Jim Bolton
Design by John Slavin
© Chris Foster 2004
You can buy Jewels as a Digital album or individual tracks at:
Traces GMCD001 - released 1999
Chris Foster vocal and guitar
Mick Strode: Slide guitar on The bold Princess Royal
All songs traditional arranged by Chris Foster except Barney's Epic Homer and Flying High, Flying Free
by Leon Rosselson, arranged by Chris Foster.
Produced by: Chris Foster
Recorded at: Track Station Recording, Burton-on-Trent, England
Engineer: Ken Macpherson
Photography by: Chris Foster and Amy Dawson
Design by: rarecompany
© Chris Foster 1999
You can buy Traces as a Digital album or individual tracks at:
Albums with Bára Grímsdóttir as the Icelandic duo 'FUNI'
visit our website at
Flúr GMCD007 - released 2013
Bára Grímsdóttir: vocal and kantele
Chris Foster vocal: langspil, guitar and hammered dulcimer
Andri Eyvindsson: vocal and saxophone
Lárus Haldór Grímsson: clarinet
Birgir Bragasson: double bass
Hafsteinn Þórólfsson: vocal
Track list
Æskustöðvarnar / My childhood home
Text: Grímur Lárusson - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir
Vatnsdalur / Vatnsdalur
Text: Grímur Lárusson - Tunes: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir & Chris Foster
Ekkillin frá Álfahamri / The widower from Álfahamar
Text: Davíð Stefánsson - Tunes: trad. & Bára Grímsdóttir,
arr. Bára Grímsdóttir & Chris Foster
Ég byrja reisu mín / I start my journey
Text: Hallgrímur Pétursson - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir & Chris Foster
Aldrei skal ég gleyma þér / I shall never forget you
Text: Magnús Guðmundsson verse1; verses 2-5 Rósa Guðmundsdóttir
Tunes: trad. & Bára Grímsdóttir, arr. Bára Grímsdóttir & Chris Foster
Man ég þig mey / I remember you maid
Text: Jónas Hallgrímsson - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir & Chris Foster
Einn guð í hæðinni / One god on high
Text: anon. Tune: Bára Grímsdóttir
Með silfurbjarta nál / With bright silver needle
Text: Rev. Stefán Ólafsson - Tune: Bára Grímsdóttir,
guitar arrangement Chris Foster
Blíðviðri / Nice weather
Text: Ólína Andrésdóttir - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir
Vor / Spring
Text: Grímur Lárusson - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir
Sjóferðabæn / Seafarers’ prayer
Text: Hallgrímur Pétursson - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir & Chris Foster
Kveðið við spuna / Rhyming while spinning
Text: Herdís Andrésdóttir - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir
Stökur förukonunar / Vagrant woman’s song
Text: Hjálmar Þorsteinsson - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir, Chris Foster & Andri Eyvindsson
Heilög jól / Holy Christmas
Text: Jón Steingrímsson - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir
Gott ár oss gefi / Give us a good year
Text: Rev. Jón Þorsteinsson - Tune: Bára Grímsdóttir
You can buy Flúr as a CD or as a Digital album or individual tracks at:
Produced by
Chris Foster and Bára Grímsdóttir
Recorded in Reykjavík, Iceland
Engineer: Andri Eyvindsson
Mastered by Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson
Photography by
Chris Foster and Pam Zappardino
Design by Inga Elsa Bergþórsdóttir
Funi GMCD002 - released 2004
Bára Grímsdóttir: vocal and kantele
Chris Foster vocal: guitar and bass guitar
John Kirkpatrick: Button accordion and concertina
Dave Wood : Icelandic fiddle
Track list
Morgunbæn / Morning prayer
Text: Hallgrímur Pétursson - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir & Chris Foster
Bar svo til í byggðum / Once upon a time
Text: Guðbrandur Einarsson - Tune trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir, Chris Foster &
John Kirkpatrick
Veroníkukvæði / Veronica
Text: Þorvaldur Magnusson - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir & Chris Foster
Konan blessuð / Blessed lady
Text: anon. - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir
Mitt var starfið / My work
Text: Theodóra Thoroddsen - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir
Úti í náttúrunni / Out in the countryside
Text: Margrét Einarsdóttir - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir
Lilja / Lily
Text: Eysteinn Ásgrímsson - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir & Chris Foster
Hættu að gráta / Stop crying young maid
Text: Jónas Hallgrímsson - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir & Chris Foster
Göngur / Autumn round up
Text: Grímur H. Lárusson - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir
Funi / Funi
Text: Pjeturína B. Jóhannsdóttir - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir, Chris Foster &
John Kirkpatrick
Gefið þið mér í staupi strax / Give me a dram, without delay
Text: annon. - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir & Chris Foster
Harðar glímur / A hard fight
Text: Grímur H. Lárusson - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir
Að minni sálu amar / My soul is beset by woes
Text: annon. - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir & Chris Foster
Sólin / The sun
Text: Magnea Halldórsdóttir - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir
Íslenskt vögguljóð / Icelandic lullaby
Text: Halldór K. Laxness - Tune trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir, Chris Foster &
John Kirkpatrick
Mína þá mundi´eg þenja vængi út / I would spread out my wings
Text: - annon. - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir
Heimi er farið að halla / The world is waning
Text: Sæmundur Magnússon - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir, Chris Foster &
John Kirkpatrick
Nýjárssálmur / New Year's Hymn
Text: Hallgrímur Pétursson - Tune: trad. arr. Bára Grímsdóttir & Chris Foster
You can buy Funi as a CD or as a Digital album or individual tracks at:
Produced by
Bára Grímsdóttir & Chris Foster
Recorded at:
Broad Oak Studio,
Herefordshire, England
Engineer and mastering: Dave Wood
Booklet illustrated with old photographs from Bára's family archive
Design by Inga Elsa Bergþórsdóttir
DISCOGRAPHY
SOLO ALBUMS:
2017 HADELIN
Green Man Productions GMCD008
2008 OUTSIDERS
Green Man Productions GMCD003
runner up in the 2008 fROOTS magazine best CD poll of 300 critics and broadcasters.
2004 JEWELS
Tradition Bearers LTCD 1102
2002 LAYERS
Vivid VSCD-832
Japanese CD re-issue of the original Topic Records Vinyl album
2002 ALL THINGS IN COMMON
Vivid VSCD-837
Japanese CD re-issue of the original Topic Records Vinyl album
1999 TRACES
Green Man Productions GMCD001
1994 STING IN THE TALE
Green Man Productions GMSL001
1979 ALL THINGS IN COMMON
Topic 12TS391
with guest performances by Graham and Eileen Pratt
1977 LAYERS
Topic 12TS329
with guest performances by Nic Jones.
Best newcomer album of the year in the Guardian newspaper, UK
FUNI DUO ALBUMS:
2013 FLÚR
Green Man Productions GMCD007
Co-producer and arranger with Bára Grímsdóttir, langspil, guitar, hammered dulcimer and vocals
2011 VATNSDALUR
Arranger and Guitar accompaniments & vocals with Bára Grímsdóttir
2010 MAN EG
Green Man Productions GMCD005/ep
co-producer and arranger with Bára Grímsdóttir arranger & Guitar, langspil and Íslensk fiðla
2004 FUNI
Green Man Productions GMCD 002
Co-producer and arranger with Bára Grímsdóttir on her debut CD. Guitar accompaniments
SOME COLLABORATIONS AND SESSIONS:
2020 THE DEER'S CRY
Karen Ballew - Rise with the dawn
Contributed to the arrangement and played langspil, Íslensk fiðla and vocals on the song Oh blessed light, on the album by American singer / harpist Karen Ballew.
2012 LULLABIES
Jackie Oates
ECC Records ECC009
Contributed to arrangements, vocals and played langspil on several songs.
2011 FAGNÍÐ NÚ JÓLA FÖGRU NÁTT - Sálmar eftir Séra Jón Þorsteinsson
Green Man Productions GMCD006
As a member of the group Mandal with Bára Grímsdóttir, Helga Jónsdóttir and Arnór Hermansson - Co-producer and performer. Vocals, guitar and langspil.
2005 AND THEY ALL SANG ROSSELSONGS
Fuse Records CFCD012
With Bára Grímsdóttir arranged and performed the song ‘Who Reaps the Profits? Who Pays the Price?’ to the CD of songs written by Leon Rosselson. Vocals, guitar and bass guitar
2003 PLOTTERS
Meersbrook Recordings MBCD02
Arranger and guitar accompaniments to a suite of 12 songs
by Sally Goldsmith on the theme of allotments and gardening
2001 AS WE WALKED OUT
Meersbrook Recordings MBCD01
Arranger and guitar accompaniments to a suite of 11 songs
by Sally Goldsmith with older ramblers in Yorkshire.
1998 DEAD MAID’S LAND
Wren Music
Wild Goose WGS 292 CD
Traditional songs of Devon and Cornwall from the collection of Sabine Baring-Gould
1998 ROLLIN’ DOWN THE ROAD
Mick Strode
Duke Records DUKE 1002
Bass guitar
1995 INTRUDERS
Leon Rosselson
Fuse Records CFCD 005
1994 QUESTIONS
Leon Rosselson
Fuse Records CFC 004
1981 NUCLEAR POWER NO THANKS
The Plane Label IMP 2
with Leon Rosselson, Roy Bailey, Frankie Armstrong, Martin Carthy,
John Kirkpatrick, Sandra Kerr, Alison McMorland and others
1977 FYLDE ACOUSTIC
Trailer LER 2105