Traditional southern English folk music
Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 11/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Albion Band has a history stretching back to the early seventies. During that time, over a hundred different people have been members but Ashley Hutchings has been there throughout. Ashley had a brief spell with Fairport Convention before setting up Steeleye Span with Tim Hart and Maddy Prior. As Steeleye Span became (like Fairport Convention) a folk-rock group, Ashley quit and formed the Albion Country Band, which soon became the Albion Dance Band before finally becoming the Albion Band. I say finally, but for this album they call themselves the Albion Christmas Band. It isn't the first Christmas album that the Albion Band have recorded but it's the only one I've heard.
The line-up for this album is Kellie While (vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion, keyboards), Simon Care (melodeon, drum, morris dancing), Ashley Hutchings (vocals, acoustic bass guitar) and Simon Nicol (vocals, acoustic guitar, tambvourine). Of all the instruments used, the melodeon is the most noticeable, giving the album a very distinctive sound. The three vocalists sometimes sing in harmony and sometimes sing alternately, while there are some songs where one or other sings solo. There are also some narrations - not too many, and they are worth hearing. This mix provides for plenty of variety within the basic traditional folk sound.
The songs are mainly traditional English folk songs although the group wrote some material in a similar style as well as covering a Jackson Browne song (Rebel Jesus). All of them blend in well together. The songs cover wassailing, polkas and Morris dancing as well as themes that are common in contemporary Christmas songs.
If you enjoy traditional English folk music (especially from the south of England), this is the Christmas album for you. And you can play this lively, upbeat album as background music, or you can give it dedicated attention - it is enjoyable either way."
Track Listings (17) - Disc #1
