SPRING/SUMMER 2013 No. 101 - Devon Folk

Reviews
THE BEDMAKING
Loft Singers
WGS 389 CD
As a person who is far more accustomed to hearing
traditional folk songs unaccompanied solo or at
the most in four part harmony, the notion of such
songs being performed as part of the repertoire of
a large folk choir tends to conjure up images of
the formal arrangements by Sharp, Grainger and
such like for pianoforte and trained singer.
Thus prejudiced, I was therefore agreeably
surprised at the pleasant and harmonious sound
offered by the Andover Museum Loft Singers,
conducted by Paul Sartin (of Bellowhead,
Faustus and Belshazzar’s Feat). It demonstrated
clearly to me that there are many attractive ways
of presenting traditional material, from choral
work to intricate instrumental accompaniment
and unorthodox jazzy arrangements as described
in another review in this issue.
Paul has selected 15 traditional songs from the
choir’s repertoire for this album, and he gives
full details of their source in the sleeve notes.
Certain songs, such as the Copper Family’s
Come Write Me Down and Pleasant Month of
May lend themselves very well to the rendering
by 30 + voices in harmony. The title song, The
Bedmaking reminded me of the baudy Cuckoo’s
Nest, with similar subject matter but slightly less
explicit lyrics. Paul has a family connection to the
person from whom this song was collected by the
Hammond brothers in Upwey, Dorset. The most
attractive arrangement for me was of the Queen
of the May.
There were, however, a couple of tracks which
I didn’t think worked at all well. The Hogs Eye
Man was a lame rendering of a vigorous shanty,
and I wasn’t keen on their treatment of Byker
Hill and The New Deserter. But that’s personal
preference.
If you also have preconceived idea of what a folk
choir is about, give this album a hearing. Like
me, you may come to appreciate songs in a new
dimension.
Colin Andrews
SLAV TO THE RHYTHM
Farmers Market Division Records
From the name of the group one might think this
album would feature a load of rustic folk songs
possibly with an up-beat rendering. It isn’t.
They are a Norwegian group experimenting with
instrumentals (and some vocals) that seem to
combine all sorts of inuences but predominantly
Jazz and Eastern European rhythms. Not the sort
of stuff you’d get in your average folk club or
pub session or even at the more pop inuenced
folk festivals. Interesting, though, and inclined to
grow on you if you’re in the right mood.
THE SERVANTS
Klak Tik
Safety First Records
There’s also a Scandinavian inuence on this
album, through band member Soren Bonke,
though the group hail from East London. Their
style is very much in that grey area between
contemporary folk and pop, with a denite leaning
towards the latter. The imaginitive instrumental
arrangements are probably the best feature of the
CD for generally I found little appeal in their
songs. The exception was Reborn, which had
attractive lyrics and tune, both presented with a
more straightforward backing.
Colin Andrews
RUNNING STILL Charlie Winston
This was received for review, but was regarded as
falling even beyond the broad scope of albums
which we cover in this folk magazine
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