Recorded in 1977 this album captures the Waterson sisters' family empathy in full flight. Two of England's most stirring women singers in solo, duet and trio performances (joined by Lal's daughter, Maria). Further tracks have been added to the originals, one a 1966 recording taken from the deleted Yorkshire Garland LP, and another, a 1998 recording where the Norma, Lal and Maria are joined by Norma's daughter, Eliza.

After three albums and great acclaim, The Watersons disbanded in the late 1960s, but there was too much music in them to retire from public music making. They reformed in 1973 and went on to perform and record for many years.

In 1977 Lal and Norma Waterson, as a side project, recorded A True Hearted Girl, an album of solos, duos and trios (with Lal's daughter Maria). Lal and Norma varied the tried and true vision of The Watersons on this outing, by only using female voices and in different combinations. This gives the album a different ambience and depth to The Watersons.

Norma Waterson was a Mercury Prize nominee with her first solo album in 1996 and has recently released her second solo album. She is also a member of Waterson:Carthy with her husband Martin Carthy and daughter Eliza Carthy.

The recent death of Lal Waterson recently, was a sad and tragic loss, but she left a legacy of two exceptional albums recorded with her son Oliver Knight. The magazine Mojo said of her, "Right up there with Nick Drake and Richard Thompson in the very front rank of English Songwriters".

Highlights of A True Hearted Girl include The Flowers of the Forest, I Wish I Never Had and Grace Darling. This reissue includes two extra tracks; one from the 1966 Watersons album, A Yorkshire Garland, and a 1998 recording of The Waterdaughters (Lal, Norma, Maria & Eliza Carthy).

LAL & NORMA WATERSON A True Hearted Girl TSCD507

1 Young Billy Brown
2 Betsy Belle
3 The Beggar Man
4 The Welcome Sailor
5 Meeting is a Pleasure
6 I Wish I Had Never
7 The Wealthy Squire
8 The Pretty Drummer Boy
9 John Ball
10 Jenny Storm
11 The Bonny Light Horseman
12 The Unfortunate Lass
13 The Flowers of the Forest
14 Grace Darling

vocals: Lal Waterson, Norma Waterson, Maria Waterson, Eliza Carthy
Jim Eldon flute, whistle
Peta Webb fiddle
Rod Stradling melodeon
Tony Engle Anglo-concertina