Search - Decameron :: Third Light & Tomorrow's Pantomime

Seventies English Prog-Folk

08/26/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Well, Swedish Death Metal may be in, but it definitely isn't Decameron. This bunch of folky songwriters were from Cheltenham, England, and their music was every bit as restrained and tasteful as their origins suggest. Their main strengths were excellent vocal harmonies, strong (if unadventurous) musicianship and a stalwart writing partnership in Coppin/Bell. Mainly acoustic with moody cello and occasional bursts of Justin-Hayward style electric guitar (again, very tasteful), they were like a rather more polite Strawbs or even an English Crosby Stills and Nash. This is a good value collection including their masterwork "Third Light" and most of the follow-up "Tomorrow's Pantomime" which was their swansong before Punk saw them off. Highlights are "The Ungodly" with its heartstopping harmonies, "All the Best Wishes" with eqally stunning guitar and the desperate sadness of "Shadows on the Stairs". For such a serious group they were a riot in concert, turning into their alter-ego doo-wop group Sturmey Archer and the Four Speeds (or whatever name they made up on the night). This CD, along with "Mammoth Special" (also recommended) is an excellent testimony to a much-loved band and to an altogether different time."