|
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 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.
|
Back To Folk Index
|
