LP-Albion Country Band-Battle of the Field '76 UK folk

$

25

(BATTLE OF THE FIELD ) by (ALBION COUNTRY BAND )...... ....(Battle of the Field was recorded by the Albion Country Band in 1973, but it wasn't released until 1976. The delay didn't really matter, since the group's music -- traditional English folk played on electric instruments -- is essentially timeless. The group wasn't quite as skilled as Fairport Convention, but they were nevertheless extraordinarily talented, and this arguably remains their finest moment A FAN SAYS:Other reviewers have more or less said it already, but this is undoubtedly one of THE classic recordings from the heyday of British traditional folk-rock. Fairport Convention was always a rock band that discovered traditional music. Steeleye Span was always a folk band that tried (sometimes miserably) to be a rock band. The Albion Country Band-- at least the version that recorded this album-- seems to be the perfect blend-- a muscular rhythm section of Roger Swallow and Ashley Hutchings, the band's founder, together with rhythmically-oriented guitar work by both Simon Nicol and Martin Carthy, topped off with Carthy's vocals and John Kirkpatrick's accordian. It's Sue Harris' snakey oboe on top of it all, however, that gives the band it's distinctive sound. These musicians are all superstars and play together marvelously in a very carefully arranged selection of songs and dance tunes. I have this recording on vinyl-- I got in college a couple of decades ago-- and it's as fresh now as it was then. I haven't had an operating turntable in a while, so I decided to get it on CD. I'd had a real hankering to hear the bitter lament "I Was a Young Man"-- a superb arrangement--so resistance was futile. "The Gallant Poacher" lopes along in great striding fashion, followed by an almost impossibly fast and nicely arranged "Cheshire Rounds/The Lancashire Hornpipe." There are a couple of Richard Thompson songs, including one he himself has not recorded. It's a bit of a throwaway in terms of it's being "a Richard Thompson song" but intoduces the recording and sets things up nicely. The album has a "chamber folk orchestra" feel, created primarily by Harris' oboe and the band's very attentive, brilliant arrangements. Americans would never record folk music this way, but I'm a big fan. Some of Norma Waterson's and Linda Thompson's work has this same feel. The band had a confusing history and recorded only this album, which, itself, took a few years to see the light of day. An earlier customer review by "the Wizard" is not entirely accurate regarding the line up. Lead vocalist is without a doubt the ever-magnificant Martin Carthy and, while drummer Dave Mattacks did play with the band and is recorded on 1. Albion Sunrise 2. Morris Medley: Mouresque/London Pride/So Selfish Runs The Hare/Maid Of The Mill/Sherrif's Ride 3. I Was A Young Man 4. New St. George/La Rotta 5. Gallant Poacher 6. Cheshire Rounds/The Old Lancashire Horpipe 7. Hanged I Shall Be 8. Reaphook And Sickle 9. Battle Of The Somme UK ISSUE ON THE ISLAND LABEL DISC AND SL ARE M- )........

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