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Folk Music Of The British Isles & Europe

England

The Etchingham Steam Band -> Bob Fox

 

 

FAIRPORT CONVENTION Mooncrest CRESTBCD 042 The Cropredy Box ● CD $23.98
Three CD set featuring highlights of the 1997 Fairport Convention reunion festival which is held at Cropredy. This concert marked the 30th anniversary of the band and over two nights traced the history of the band featuring many of the musicians who played in the band over the years. Richard Thompson, Simon Nicol and Dave Mattacks appear on more than half the tracks and other musicians and vocalists include Ashley Hutchings, Judy Dyble, Vikki Clayton, Dave Pegg, Dave Swarbrick, Bruce Rowland, Jerry Donahue, Ric Sanders and many more. Songs includes Jack O'Diamonds/ Mr Lacey/ Genesis Hall/ Come All Ye/ Matty Groves/ Walk Awhile/ Poor Will & The Jolly hangman/ Rain/ Sloth/ John barleycorn/ Red And Gold/ JohnGaudie/ Meet On The Ledge and more.

 
FAIRPORT CONVENTION Raven 47 Fiddlestix - The Best Of Fairport, 1972-1984 ● CD $18.98
19 tracks, 75 mins, highly recommended In spite of the title the earliest cuts here are from 1970 - two tracks recorded live at the Troubadour in Los Angeles (Sir Patrick Spens/Banks Of Sweet Primroses) and previously issued in shorter versions on the "House Full" album. There are several cuts from "Rosie" and "Nine" (1973) with Trevor Lucas and Jerry Donahue in the band. Trevor was a stunning singer and his version of Polly On The Shore is a real spine chiller. From the same period are a couple of live cuts (Days Of '49/ Possibly Parsons Green) previously only available on a limited edition Australian cassette. There are three tracks by the group when Sandy Denny rejoined them - her vocal on Rising For The Moon is simply spellbinding. There are five cuts drawn from their "Bonny Bunch Of Roses" and "Tippler's Tale" LPs from 1977 & '78 - some of their less inspiring work. There are also more goodies - an Australian only single, an unissued instrumental medley and tracks from a solo Swarb album and a Simon/Swarb album. Great sound and 16 page booklet is full of interesting details and neat photos. (FS)

 
FAIRPORT CONVENTION Varrick 023 Gladys' Leap ● CD $14.98

 
FAIRPORT CONVENTION Varrick 029 Expletive Delighted ● CD $14.98
This 1986 album is a delightful all instrumental set on which the line up at the time (Dave Pegg, Dave Mattacks, Ric Sanders & Simon Nicol) are joined by multi-instrumentalist Maartin Allcock who joins in on guitars, bouzouki, bass, etc. The tunes are mostly originals by band members, some of which are very traditional in flavor (The Rutland Reel/ Sack the Juggler/ The Cat On The Mixer/ 3 Left Feet ) with the band playing in a manner as whimsical as the titles. It's interesting to compare Ric Sanders' classically flavored fiddle playing with former Fairporter Dave Swarbrick's more florid style. The group do a very tasteful rendition of the traditional Sigh Beg Sigh Mor and a great driving version of John Kirkpatrick's composition The Gas Almost Works which is left off the track listing on the cover. The album ends up with a tribute to English instrumental group The Shadows with versions of some of their most popular tunes with guest guitarists Richard Thompson and Jerry Donahue lending a hand. (FS)

 
CHRIS FOSTER Green Man 001 Traces ● CD $17.98
12 tracks, 54 mins, recommended A pleasant surprise - the first new album in more than 20 years by this performer who I thought had completely vanished off the scene. Chris is an excellent and compelling singer with a distinctive voice and is also a very fine guitarist whose playing subtly enhances his vocals. There are ten traditional songs and two from the acid pen of Leon Rosselson. Although most of the traditional songs are fairly familiar Chris often finds unfamiliar versions and his expressive performances breathes life into the most familiar of songs and his interpretions of Rosselson's songs are striking. Includes The Bold Princess Royal/ When A Man's In Love/ The Flower Of Serving Men/ The Coast Of peru/ The Ranter/ Flying High, Flying Free, etc. (FS)

 
BOB FOX Woodworm 035 Dreams Never Leave You ● CD $21.98
12 tracks, 54 mins, good Fox is a truly superb singer from Tyneside who is perhaps best known for his collaborations with Stu Luckley. He has appeared in various other collaborations over the years but this is, I think, the first album under his own name exclusively. That's the good news - the bad news is that the accompaniments by various Fairport Conventioneers (Dave Pegg, Chris Leslie, Gerry Conway) and others comes off as very heavy handed and really reduces the impact of the songs. The songs are a mix of traditional and contemporary but often seem inappropriate in these settings - the two Andy Stewart songs Rambling Rover and Take Her In Your Arms are whimsical delights by Andy but sound ponderous here. In the right setting Bob could make a killer album but this isn't it. (FS)

 
BOB FOX & BENNY GRAHAM Fellside FECD 111 How Are You Off For Coals? ● CD $16.98
Songs of the mining communities of North East England performed by singer/ guitarist Fox and singer/ melodeon player Graham with The Celebrated Working Men Chorus on some cuts. Traditional songs plus songs by Tommy Armstrong, Johnny Handle, Jock Purdon, etc.

 

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