Entertainment For Lively Minds
Ashley Hutchings / Lark Rise Band
Posted by Adman on 28 September 2009 - 9:26pm.
Back in the early summer I was thrilled to see the artist formerly known as Tyger & his Lark Rise Band at the English Heritage Festival Of History.
A truly warm and witty gig, with songs from the stage play and readings from the book. (Oh, and a bit of country dancing too...)
I draw your attention to their fine record which can be Spotified, here:
The Lark Rise Band – Lark Rise Revisited: http://open.spotify.com/user/doublevisionary/playlist/5q9AmI2X3lKak1ofpr...
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What I found interesting about
the Lark Rise Band was just how fine a balancing act it was. Given the format of the show - as you mention, with reading from the book and country dancing - it would be incredibly easy for them to cross over the line from genteel to twee, but it just managed to stay on the right side of the line for me.
Bar some kid who was clearly there with his parents under duress, I was the only person under 40 that night. Was there a better spread of ages when you saw 'em?
It was a good mix of people -
but it was at a weekend festival with a history focus, so people were there out of curiosity, as well as being followers of the band / The Guvnor. Of course, there was a smattering of bearded folkies (& their husbands) but everyone, old & young seemed to dig it!
Haven't heard this
but The Albion Band's Rise Up Like The Sun is wonderful. I believe he founded them. Also, didn't they release an album with Shirley Collins which I've yet to hear, but is very highly regarded. I must check it out.
Rise Up...
is indeed wonderful. Most of their stuff is worth a listen - I'd really recommend the Acoustic Years (Ashley H, Simon Nicol, Chris Leslie (both Fairports), and the sublime Chris While & Julie Matthews) a great line up & some beautiful music.
A.H. did indeed found the Albions... he also co-founded Fairport & Steeleye Span... one of the most influential figures in English folk-rock... a legend & a gentleman!
Oh, and anything by Chris While & Julie Matthews is worth a good listen - if they were from Nashville, not the North of England, they'd be global superstars - just amazing talent!
Folk pedant replies..
I adore the classic Fairports, Span pre-off the boil Hat nonsense, and being aware of the outstanding pedigree of Ashley Hutchings, I have often wondered if both he and the incomparable Sandy Denny had continued in the Liege and Liefe line-up for just one more album....
Indeed
The Fairport story is full of heartbreaking what-ifs & if-onlys.
The thing, as well, that
so consistently blows me away is their ages. 18 - 22 ! Can you imagine that level of ability, creativity and soul from ANYONE these days ( or even then ), and I will not have it said that it is all down to the period and the then current influences. Absolutely no way. Their talent was staggering in the extreme, and we will never see the like again.
A special kind of, er
genius.
Certainly in RT's case. His ability as a plank spanker got them noticed - then they flew.
But as a whole - early Fairport - absolutely remarkable - mid/late period not too scruffy too!
Ever been to Cropredy, Jams? (Bet you have!)
Unfortunately no.
I will be going asap though, once I've sorted out some current geographical/employment hassles. See you there sometime !
Meet on the ledge!
:-)
Having be a fan for longer than I'd care to remember..
.. you are 100% about Rise up.. saw them on that tour too, splendid version of Gresford Disaster with a terrific violin solo from Ric Sanders.
Would suggest you check out Battle of the Field, if you haven't already, and No Roses with Shirley is lovely too. (And whilst on the subject of Shirley Collins - though rather different in instrumentation, Anthems in Eden is a beautiful song cycle dealing with pre and post Great War England).