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CD Reviews

from Around Kent Folk issue 117 for June / July

by Tenterden Folk Festival and Around Kent Folk

from Around Kent Folk issue 117 for June / July, page 24

Article from: Around Kent Folk issue 117 for June / July

CD Reviews

Tom Ward – Cobbled Together (Greentrax CDTRAX417)

Tom is veteran of the Scottish folk scene who was well known as a concertina player as early as the 1970s. Though this was his first, and is still, his main instrument, he also plays the whistle, the Scottish small pipes and the guitar on this album. He is frequently multi-tracking, and he sings “Jamie Raeburn” and “Gin I Were A Baron’s Heir” though it must be said that his voice is not the strongest card in his hand.

He is at best when he is playing slower airs and song melodies and there is interest in the way he switches lead between pipes and concertina and when the two are blended; the best example of this would be his fine playing of “The Rowan Tree”. The repertoire here brings many of the best-known tunes from Scotland, Ireland and Northumbria. The album takes a different direction for the final track, “Dill Pickle Rag” in which we hear the only other musician, another veteran Brian Miller playing some typically crisp guitar accompaniment.

The outstanding track is the one that starts with “The Flower O’ The Quern” and this classic composition of Scott Skinner is given exquisite treatment before he moves on to a hornpipe, a set dance and then a reel.

As well as playing nearly everything, Tom has also produced the album himself; not necessarily the best decision as sometimes the mix of instruments is rather uneven.

www.greentrax.com

Vic Smith

George Sansome and Matt Quinn - Sheffield Park (Grimdon Records GRICD007)

This album starts with an unaccompanied version of Tyne of Harrow lead by George and quickly joined by Matt. A great start to an excellent album. Track two is Tailor in the Tea Chest with George on guitar and Matt on mandolin. The album then continues to treat us to such vocal delights as Sheffield Park, I Once Loved a Boy, The Fox and the Grey Goose, Night Visiting Song, until it finishes with The Death of Andrew. All but one of the songs comes from the Roud collection, the exception being My Son Amerikay credited as Trad/McLoughlin. George and Matt only started singing together just before lockdown and have just completed a short tour together in April but you can catch them at several festivals over the summer.

Alan Castle (Editor)

“Tenterden the Jewel of the Weald”