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lemonade kid
Old Love
USA
9873 Posts |
 Posted - 06/03/2012 : 02:36:18
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You think Fairport's family tree is insane....? 160+ members over their life time through today.
The Albion Band
Flandyke Shore...listen & read on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm46ePDlpk8
The Albion Band, also known as The Albion Country Band and The Albion Dance Band, are an English electric folk band, originally brought together and led by musician Ashley Hutchings. Generally considered one of the most important groupings in the genre, it has contained or been associated with a large proportion of major English folk performers in its long and fluid history.
The one constant in the band’s history has been the band leader Ashley Hutchings, founding member of arguably the two other pre-eminent English folk rock groupings Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span, and it has been the home for most of the projects of his long and highly productive career, though in the 2011 incarnation of the band he has handed over the reins to son Blair Dunlop. Initially Hutchings formed the band in April 1971 to accompany his then wife the singer Shirley Collins on her No Roses album. Dave Mattacks, Richard Thompson and Simon Nicol, from Fairport Convention, beside such luminaries as Lal and Mike Waterson of The Watersons and Maddy Prior, were among twenty five credited backing musicians.[1] On a short tour, core members were joined by Richard Thompson and his then wife Linda Thompson. Several members contributed with Hutchings to the project Morris On (1972), including John Kirkpatrick, Richard Thompson and Dave Mattacks, and cumbersomely all their names appeared on the album cover.
[edit] The first album 1973
Hutchings was keen to make a permanent band from these musicians and the first attempt included Royston Wood, Steve Ashley and Sue Draheim in the line-up, but the group failed to gell and he recruited a second band, turning to Martin Carthy, John Kirkpatrick, Sue Harris, Roger Swallow and Simon Nicol. The band remained fragile and split in August 1973, but an album was released retrospectively under the title Battle of the Field, on Island Records in 1976.[2] Other material recorded by this line-up eventually appeared on the later BBC Sessions CD (1998).
The Albion Dance Band
From 1974-6 Hutchings abandoned the Albion name and focused on forming the Etchingham Steam Band with his wife Shirley Collins. However, in 1977 he pulled together a new Albion Band, this time with the aim of playing traditional dance music. It had a huge and unstable membership that included Simon Nicol, Graeme Taylor from Gryphon, the early musicians Phil Pickett and John Sothcott, fiddle player Ric Sanders, plus John Tams, one of folk music’s most distinctive and highly regarded vocalists. The immediate result was a lively traditional based album The Prospect Before Us under the name The Albion Dance Band. In 1978 they shortened the name to The Albion Band (which has remained the basis of the group’s identity since) and released, under Tam’s direction, what is usually considered the finest album in the long history of the band Rise Up Like the Sun (1978).
The shows
The band took part in a 1977 TV show ‘Here We Come A-Wasseling’ and in 1978-9 collaborated with playwright Keith Dewhurst for a stage adaption of British author Flora Thompson’s Lark Rise to Candleford, tracks from which were released as an album in 1980.[4] The band was probably at the height of its mainstream profile at this point, getting its own BBC Arena documentary that explored their work.[5] While Hutchings was more interested in pursuing theatrical possibilities, many members of the band wanted to be a touring and recording band and, despite critical acclaim, this line-up split. Tams, Taylor, Gregory went on to form the nucleus of Home Service.[6] Live material from this period has been released in Songs from the Shows (1997 and 1999) and The Guvnor, Vols 1-4 (1996–2004).
[edit] Reformation and stability 1980-90
Hutchings reformed the band around the nucleus of the remaining ex-Fairporters Nicol and Mattacks. He added three members of Cock and Bull (Dave Whetstone, Jean-Pierre Rasle and John Maxwell) and for the first time on record, opted for a lead female vocalist in Cathy Lesurf of the Oyster Band, whose tones characterize most recordings from this era.[7] Probably the best album of this relatively stable period was Light Shining (1980), on which most of the tracks were original material. Shuffle Off (1983), Under the Rose (1984) and The Wild Side of Town (1987) followed, the last of which was based on a five-part BBC television series presented by Chris Baines. The line-up then shifted with Phil Beer joining on guitar/fiddle/vocals, Martin Bell on violin, and Trevor Foster on drums before the release of Stella Maris in (1987). Martin Bell and Cathy Lesurf then left and the group were joined by Simon Care and John Shepherd. This was the most stable lineup in the bands history in terms of albums, producing three: I Got New Shoes (1988), Give Me a Saddle and I'll Trade you a Car (1989) and 1990 in the year of that name.
[edit] The acoustic period 1990-7
In 1990 they were joined by singer-songwriter and instrumentalist Julie Matthews, but although they toured they produced no albums before her departure in 1993. Some sessions from this line-up surfaced as Captured in 1995. Trevor Foster and Phil Beer left and were temporarily replaced by virtuoso acoustic guitarist Keith Hinchcliffe shifting the emphasis away from electric instruments. In 1993 Hutchins decided to follow this trend turning the band into a small four piece unit comprising himself, Julie Matthews’ replacement Chris While, original member Simon Nicol, and Ashley Reed on violin. This allowed them to play small folk club, pub and college venues and gave the Band a whole new direction, now drawing on contemporary songwriters like Beth Nielsen Chapman and Steve Knightley as well as the internal song-writing talent of While and Hutchings. The first studio album of this period Acousticity (1993) had a more lively and contemporary feel, aided by Reed’s energetic playing. In 1995 Reed left and Matthews returned to the band to add her vocal, instrumental and considerable songwriting talents. The resulting album, Albion Heart (1995), is usually considered the best of this later period and marked the beginning of While and Matthews’ long and productive partnership. It was also unusual for the lack of traditional folk instruments and the four were soon joined by violinist and mandolin player Chris Leslie for the last recording of this era Demi Paradise (1996), before Leslie left for Fairport Convention and While and Matthews for solo and joint projects. Live performances of this era have been released as Acousticity on Tour (2004) and Albion Heart on Tour (2004).
The multi-generational phase 1997-2002
The last phase of the full band would be based around a return to a more traditional rock format and the incorporation of two generations of musicians. Hutchings called in experienced guitarist and writer Ken Nicol and added newcomers Joe Broughton on fiddle and Neil Marshall on drums. Female vocals were supplied by Kellie While and Gillie Nicholls, who were guests on the first studio album of this era, Happy Accident (1998). Gillie Nicolls was a full member of the band for the second outing Before Us Stands Yesterday (1999), but was then replaced by Kellie While for the recording of The Christmas Album later that year and for Road Movies (2001), their last studio project. Ken Nicol left to be replaced by Pete Zorn, but it was becoming increasingly hard to find venues of a suitable size and in 2002 it was decided to suspend the band.[9]
[edit] Albion Christmas
While Hutchings continued to pursue other projects he revived the Albion Band in an acoustic format for seasonal tours in 2005, allowing them to play smaller venues which could usually be easily filled. The line-up is based around Simon Nicol, Kellie While and multi-instrumentalist Simon Care.[10] The results have been three further seasonal albums: An Albion Christmas (2005), Winter Songs (2006), and Snow on Snow (2008).
The Albion Band Reborn
In July of 2011, Hutchings announced that the Albion Band would be forming again, and for the first time, he himself would not be a member. Instead he passed the baton to his son - the guitarist and singer Blair Dunlop. This new line up also features a number of other current folk performers from a range of backgrounds reflecting earlier versions of the Albion Band. These members include Folk Award nominee Katriona Gilmore (Tiny Tin Lady, Gilmore/Roberts - Fiddle and vocals) the traditionally biased vocalist, concertina player and guitarist Gavin Davenport, (Crucible, Glorystrokes, Hekety, solo) drummer Tom Wright (Eliza Carthy projects/Glorystrokes), Tim Yates (Blackbeard's Tea Party/The QP) taking on the onerous duty of playing bass - only the second bass player - the first being Ashley Hutchings himself and lead guitarist and relative newcomer Benjamin Trott. This line up released an own label taster EP in 2011 and are scheduled to release a full studio album in early 2012.
Band members
Past members include: Francis Baines, Phil Beer, Martin Bell, Dave Bland, Joe Broughton, Pete Bullock, Bill Caddick, Simon Care, Martin Carthy, Alan Cave, Dolly Collins, Shirley Collins, Lol Coxhill, Trevor Crozier, Barry Dransfield, Howard Evans, Trevor Foster, Eric Hine, Gillie Nicholls, Tony Hall, Sue Harris, Keith Hinchcliffe, Ashley Hutchings, Alan Lumsden, Nic Jones, John Kirkpatrick, Chris Leslie, Cathy Lesurf, Dave Mattacks, Neil Marshall, Julie Matthews, John Maxwell, Steve Migden, Doug Morter, Ken Nicol, Simon Nicol, Philip Pickett, Roger Powell, Maddy Prior, Brian Protheroe, Alan Prosser, Jean-Pierre Rasle, Ashley Reed, Tim Renwick, John Rodd, Colin Ross, Ric Sanders, Steve Saunders, John Shepherd, Martin Simpson, John Sothcott, Roger Swallow, John Tams, Graeme Taylor, Linda Thompson, Richard Thompson, Eddie Upton, Lal and Mike Waterson, Dave Whetstone, Chris While, Kellie While, Ian Whiteman, Royston Woods and Pete Zorn.[11][12][13]
Love Is Like A Railway Station
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBg5TsTpbTs&feature=related
Sea Of Sorrow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyOYzepiT7A
Shirley Collins and Albion Band...the original lineup...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBVYotyxSdU&feature=related
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We are raised to honor all the wrong explorers & discoverers-
-thieves planting flags, murderers carrying crosses.
Let us at last praise the colonizers of dreams.
-Peter S. Beagle 1973
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Edited by - lemonade kid on 11/08/2012 21:23:07 |
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lemonade kid
Old Love
USA
9873 Posts |
Posted - 19/07/2012 : 14:11:32
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This one is very Maddy Prior sounding for me...
(Love Is Like A) Railway Station...from my favorite Albion album-
Light Shining, but then I don't have any where near all of their LPs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBg5TsTpbTs&feature=related
They have a new album called ...VICE OF THE PEOPLE. Just got it and I'll let you know what I think...anyone have it?
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HIGH ALL THE TIME...
-Mad River
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0PCzH-K1hg
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rocker
Old Love
USA
3606 Posts |
Posted - 19/07/2012 : 20:31:13
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| Let us know how it sounds. This is a real fine band. The musicianship is extraordinary. |
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lemonade kid
Old Love
USA
9873 Posts |
Posted - 19/07/2012 : 21:32:18
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The ALBION BAND--The Vice Of The People 2012
rocker-IT IS BRILLIANT!
sample plays here...4 1/2 Stars at Amazon..I give it TEN!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Vice-Of-People/dp/B007MJA9CG
http://newalbumreleases.net/46838/the-albion-band-vice-of-the-people-2012/
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BBC Review
The band’s new line-up delivers some vividly potent original writing.
by Sid Smith 2012-5-9
Over the last 40 years, something like 160 musicians have passed through the ranks of The Albion Band. Throughout that time, founder Ashley Hutchings has been at the helm. In a move that took many observers by surprise, Hutchings handed over the stewardship of the band to his son, guitarist and vocalist, Blair Dunlop.
Rather than populating the band with grizzled vets of the folk scene, Dunlop recruited a new generation of musicians: Gavin Davenport, Katriona Gilmore (who first saw The Albion Band in 1997 as a 12-year-old), Tom Wright and Tim Yates. Together they restore a more rock-inclined vitality to a set which is, in essence, a survey of the state of modern-day Britain. There’s a palpable anger at what has become of old Albion seething within tracks that document the widening gaps between rich and poor, incipient inequality dressed up as choice, and the paucity of ambition that bedevils so many young people in the thrall of talent shows and celeb culture.
A cappella opener A Quarter Hour of Fame points a recriminatory finger at the desire to be famous without any requisite ability or achievement: "And what about the history that made our country’s name? Who are you heroes now? / Would you trade it all for glory and a quarter hour of fame? Who are your heroes now?" As respect for our political and financial institutions has never been lower, Davenport’s Thieves Song is a timely reminder that not everyone who wants to rob us blind will be a lowly burglar: "So put no faith in rich men, though gold they have in store / For now they have the taste of it they’ll want it 10 times more!"
What at first seemed unthinkable and something of a risk has proved to have been a gamble that’s paid off handsomely if this debut record of the new line-up is anything to go by. With tightly-drilled playing and some vividly potent original writing, The Albion Band looks to be in good hands for the foreseeable future.
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The Vice Of The People
The Albion Band
2012 Studio album
the bright young folk review
The Vice of the People is the first full-length album from the reborn Albion Band (a promotional EP was released last year.) There have been doubters about this new line-up, but this recording should prove them wrong.
The Albion Band are carrying on the spirit of the previous incarnations, and prove themselves to be worthy successors, with some rocking song arrangements and meaty tune sets. Here, they play mainly brand new material (much of it written or arranged by Gavin Davenport). The emphasis is on the rock side of folk-rock, and this bunch do it well, hopefully bringing folk rock to a new generation.
The lovely a cappella opening track, written by Katriona Gilmore, really grasps the listener’s attention, and introduces the title of the album and its central theme, before launching into Richard Thompson’s Roll Over Vaughan Williams. There are some really heavy, head-banging moments here! Another cover, Nick Kershaw’s Faces is a surprise, but it suits the folk-rock treatment, and fits in with the theme of the album.
It is difficult to choose a favourite track, but one which does stand out is Gavin’s Thieves’ Song (sung here by Blair Dunlop). An updated rendering of the old nursery rhyme Hark, Hark the Dogs Do Bark, it is still very relevant today. The line “Some in rags, and some in jags” is inspired!
The album ends with two tracks which could easily become new folk-rock anthems: One More Day is a real earworm, and with its simple call and response structure is just begging for audience participation. Wake a Little Wiser is more complex in structure, with various (nameless) public figures being introduced like characters in a mummers play, whilst the chorus reminds us we should be celebrating the achievements of the social reformers from the past.
The CD cover is worth mentioning - the tracks are listed as Side One, and Side Two - a nice touch.
After listening to this album, the only conclusion one could make is that folk rock is alive and most definitely kicking!
Shelley Rainey
Released March 2012
1. Intro: A Quarter Hour of Fame
2. Roll Over Vaughan Williams
3. Coalville
4. The 2x2 Set
5. Thieves Song
6. How Many Miles to Babylon?
7. Set Their Mouths to Twisting
8. Faces
9. The Skirmish Set
10. Adieu to Old England
11. One More Day
12. Wake a Little Wiser
Get it if you can!
________________________________________________
HIGH ALL THE TIME...
-Mad River
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0PCzH-K1hg
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Edited by - lemonade kid on 19/07/2012 21:36:02 |
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lemonade kid
Old Love
USA
9873 Posts |
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lemonade kid
Old Love
USA
9873 Posts |
Posted - 29/07/2012 : 19:42:46
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The Albion Band – The Vice of The People
Described as the jury service of the folk world The Albion Band have returned with group of volunteers.
The Vice of the People is the latest release this folk institution.
This is an album is folk at it’s purest. So much so you nearly expect (and hope slightly) that the disc is made of straw. Introducing this incarnation of the folk collective is an a capella opening. Sounding quintessentially folk it shows the genres past and it’s continued relevance. This is echoed throughout as the band talk about modern life, authority and war. This makes them more punk than some punk bands. Thieves Song warns about bankers and authority today, ‘you dote on thieves and you vote for thieves, and still their games to play’.
In-between the social commentary however there’s still space for a cheeky dance two instrumentals possessing your feet and transporting your mind. The album is a triumph of sounds, all evoking emotion and feeling. Set Their Mouths to Twisting showcases this, creating a big and engrossing feel. Adding to this are four different vocals appearing together to give the music a sense of unity and power. This also makes the band a sound engineers nightmare but it sounds great so it’s all good really.
Standout tracks include Roll Over Vaughan Williams, with an urgent driving sound taking on the subject of modern living. The guitar work and breakdowns show the calibre of the musicians instantly. Coalville showcases the vocals of Katriona Gilmore and shows folk music in its classic story telling guise. One More Day the track highlights the standard of playing on the album with a special nod towards drumming on the album. Creative and inspired playing, complemented by inventive vocals sneak down your ears and press all the right buttons.
This album is folk at it’s most undiluted. The songs have a point to prove and are timeless in their sentiment. They could have been made by The Albion Bands first recruits or yesterday. Depending on your outlook this is a strength or a weakness, but the album deserves the chance for you to decide.
David Horn
The Vice of The People
Track list
1 - Intro: A Quarter Hour Of Fame*****
2 - Roll Over Vaughan Williams (a brilliant cover of Richard Thompson's classic) *****!!
3 - Coalville*****!!
4 - The 2 X 2 Set****
5 - Thieves Song*****
6 - How Many Miles To Babylon?*****
7 - Set Their Mouths To Twisting*****
8 - Faces*****
9 - The Skirmish Set****
10 - Adieu To Old England*****
11 - One More Day ( a rocking rework of their 70's classic)*****!!
12 - Wake A Little Wiser*****!!
*Number of stars- by me! And the ones with *****!! are my extra special listens!
I keep waiting for this to show up on Youtube so I can share ome plays...anyone get this yet? YOU MUST!!
Here is a stream!!!
ONE MORE DAY!
http://songs.to/#!pl=b32797a792694788f9f3c1fd55579d0c53d35c70
I'll find more!
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HIGH ALL THE TIME...
-Mad River
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0PCzH-K1hg
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Edited by - lemonade kid on 11/08/2012 21:22:44 |
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lemonade kid
Old Love
USA
9873 Posts |
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rocker
Old Love
USA
3606 Posts |
Posted - 14/08/2012 : 14:40:11
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hey I am going to go broke, ok????.....;-)...remarkable band...kind of Steeleye-ish is you get the drift..
love that 'Adieu to old England...so I'm giving a bow to all English music and to Mr. Henry Purcell...I meman Albion is following in their footsteps, eh?..;-)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ty-HiIIr1s
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lemonade kid
Old Love
USA
9873 Posts |
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rocker
Old Love
USA
3606 Posts |
Posted - 15/08/2012 : 14:28:59
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Also of Oysterband...another great BAND WITH LONG ROOTS!
May be one of my all time favorite albums...period! Sorry Rocker!
oh I can see that...those guys can play!... |
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ALBION BAND-The Vice Of The People!
