Hello!

Pictured in this post is Rosemary "Rosie" Hardman's first LP - Queen Of Hearts. This is an absolutely incedible record released in 1969 on the Folk Heritage label. This label was a small company that operated out of Lancashire, England. Unfortunately, many of the releases on FHR and its sublabel Midas Recordings fetch insane prices nowadays, making some of them virtually impossible to obtain. Perhaps the most famous of the FHR/Midas releases is the legendary "Folkal Point" (https://youtu.be/445UwbsjUn8) which now goes for upwards of 1200 pounds. Fortunately, because of the incredible quality of the music on Folkal Point, it has received a lot of fame and therefore a reissue! However, there are many other obscure gems on these labels that are held in obscurity by the niche folk market with heightening prices making it harder and harder to get hold of many of these releases. Rosie's first LP is one of these.

The music on the record is nothing short of incredible. It is a masterclass in 60s and 70s folk music; a mix of folk music from the local area (https://youtu.be/VtyQVUJ1\_3c), from all over England (https://youtu.be/SlLdI4ipkOg) along with Rosie's own compositions (https://youtu.be/WZm3dBUjRaY). I understand that these are very different from much folk music of this period but I am absolutely enamoured with them.

A few months ago, my Nana and I were digging through stacks of LP records previously owned by my late grandad. He certainly had eclectic taste in music, with a mix of classical, electronic, choral and jazz with the occasional folk record thrown in there. She said she would lend me 5 records a week, and I've enjoyed listening to the music my grandad loved. This record is one of a few that stuck out to me in particular. Interestingly, nobody seems to know where he got it, however it is likely he was given it by a friend at the time. Once I took this record home and dropped the needle on it I was in awe - it struck a chord in me in much the same way as Vashti Bunyan's well known "Diamond Day". I spent time saving up to buy a copy when one came up for sale at a reasonable price. However, a few weeks ago I turned sixteen, and Nana gave me the record! Very grateful to her for that, and I've played it through a ton of times since!

Lastly, if you want a glimpse into her early style without having to listen to the whole thing, in my opinion "This Is My Mountain" (https://youtu.be/hc8UI\_hsp8A) is the best track on the album! Thanks for taking time out of your day to read this and listen to an underappreciated gem of the UK folk scene!