Black is the Color of My True Loves Hair performed by Adam Brown

Black Is the Color of My True Loves Hair first came to prominence in the Appalachian region of the United States. The lyrics demonstrate a Scottish origin with two distinct melodies emerging, one traditional and the other composed by John Jacob Niles. Duarte employs the Niles melody, replete with modal ambiguity, in this arrangement. This genrecrossing standard has inspired an eclectic range of interpretations, including Celtic folk, the avantgarde of Luciano Berio and the haunting contralto of Nina Simone. This work, part of the Appalachian Dreams suite, was arranged by the English composer John Duarte and first performed by Sharon Isbin in 1999.