Search - Peter Bellamy :: The Ballads of Peter Bellamy: Big, Broadside & Barrack Room

Nice overview of a great, obscure British singer

Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 06/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an fine single-CD overview of English folksinger Peter Bellamy, who made his mark in the 1960s trio called Young Tradition, then found infamy and obscurity in his solo career, which he pursued with devotion against steep odds. Bellamy was ostracized from the Left-leaning British folk scene when he began to delve into the works of Rudyard Kipling, an author who many saw as an exemplar of English imperialism. Bellamy, however, concentrated on Kipling's artistry, and found a rich (and largely untapped) wellspring of well-wrought poetry, material he turned into songs that were often performed a capella, or with minimal accompaniment. He sang songs from many other sources as well, and this collection shows strengths as a folklorist, as well as the power of his deep, gruff vocals. It's powerful stuff. If, after you give this set a good, attentive listening and emerge a devoted fan, you might also want to track down the even more comprehensive 3-CD set, "Wake the Vaulted Echoes," which gathers even more of Bellamy's rare, hard-to-find, deeply rewarding material. This is a good place to start, though! (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue music guide)"