SPRING/SUMMER 2013 No. 101 - Devon Folk

Reviews
AMONG FRIENDS
Malcolm Woods
Wren CD018
Although he started playing the melodeon some
40 years ago with Angel Morris Men in London
and has been involved with several Morris and
Clog teams in the South of England, Malcolm
Woods is now based in the West Country. He is
a regular participant in the Minehead (Sailors’)
Hobby Horse, the Huinting of the Earl of Rone
and the Baring-Gould Festival.
Among Friends is a very appropriate title for this
album of tunes and songs, for he is joined by some
fourteen other prominent singers and musicians -
friends and relatives - from this area and further
aeld.
The tunes, all lively, foot-tapping stuff, include
several familiar session pieces such as Hot
Punch, Tip Top Polka, Cliff Hornpipe and Oh
Joe The Boat Is Going Over, as well as some less
well-known melodies. Malcolm has a very good
feel for the musical hall songs which make up a
signicant part of his repertoire. It’s a good while
since I heard When Father Papered The Parlour.
This is a very attractive CD to play - ‘jolly’
describes it in one word, and ‘jolly good’ in two.
Colin Andrews
Available from Wren Music, price £10 + £2 p&p
www.wrenmusic.co.uk
NORTH
Mary Dillon
Back Lane Records
This promotional copy dropped through my door,
and not recognising the name of the artist I put it
to one side for later listening or passing on for
someone else to review. I’m glad I kept it - it’s
an absolute gem., and prompted me to seek more
information on the internet.
Mary Dillon is the elder sister of internationally
acclaimed folk singer, Cara Dillon. Back in the
1990s Mary was a member of the Irish band,
Deanta, but has only just returned to performing
after a break of some fteen years raising her
47
family. Hailing from Derry, she comes from a
family with a background in Irish traditional
music, as both her grandmothers were traditional
singers. In her teens she was twice winner of
the All-Ireland Singing Trophy.
North is Mary Dillon’s debut solo album. And it’s
beautiful. She has perhaps the most delightfully
gentle, melodic voice I have ever heard, and on
every one of the ten tracks she uses it to put such
feeling and expression into the songs. Most of
them, like The Banks of Claudy and The Month
of January are traditional - I doubt if you’ll ever
hear the latter sung better. There are also some
modern compositions, including her own, The
Boatman, with its haunting melody. All except
the last track (Ard Ti Chuain) have instrumental
backing on a variety of traditional instruments,
but it always complements the singing and is
never intrusive. Cara makes a guest appearance
on some vocal backing.
I have a feeling that Cara won’t be the only
member of the Dillon family to feature
prominently at folk festivals in the future.
www. marydillon..com
BRIXHAM
FOLK CLUB
First Friday in the month
7.30 11.00pm
Colin Andrews
We meet in the lounge/bar of Brixham
Theatre, New Road, Brixham, TQ5 8LX
Admission £3.00/Performers £2.00
Come along and give us a song or a tune or
just enjoy listening.
More information from John Miles
(01803 858394) or Anne & Steve Gill
(01803 290427)
annemgill@tiscali.co.uk
Patron Maggie Duffy