Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Albion Country Band "Battle of the Field" 1973
Released in 1976

After leaving Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span, bass player Ashley Hutchings dreamt of a band that would play traditional British folk and Morris dance tunes with the energy and instrumental virtuosity of rock & roll continued with the Albion Country Band. Although the original group, featuring Royston Wood, Sue Draheim, and Steve Ashley, in addition to Hutchings, was together for less than two years, the ripples they brought to British folk music have continued to be felt. Their sole album, Battle of the Field, released three years after they disbanded, remains a much-cherished classic. With the band's resurrection as the Albion Dance Band in 1975, and later, as the Albion Band, Hutchings' dreams have continued to yield fruit. Hutchings initially assembled the group that became the Albion Country Band to accompany his then-wife, Shirley Collins, on her 1971 album No Roses. Inspired by the results, the musicians agreed to continue pooling their resources as the Albion Country Band. After providing accompaniment for Ashley on his album, Stroll On, and Richard Thompson on two tracks that were released on his 1991 cassette-only album, Doom and Gloom From the Tomb, Vol. 2, Hutchings and the Albion Country Band, joined by such top-notch British folk musicians as John Kirkpatrick, Martin Carthy, and Simon Nicol, recorded heir first band album in 1973. Financial difficulties caused Hutchings to disband the group before the album's release. With no band to promote the recording, Island held back the album's release until 1976. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide

5 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

aspettavo da tempo questo disco,
che ho già in vinile,
tra i migliori della mia discografia,
grazie
e complimenti per le scelte in generale!
ciao
Gry

17 October, 2006 21:14  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice one, Lizardson. Steve Ashley is my hero and, along with Ashley Hutchings (another hero), how can this fail? Many thanks yet again. I am forever in your debt.

17 October, 2006 21:16  
Blogger Pessi said...

Absolutley great. Many thanks, Lizardson.

18 October, 2006 20:10  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Is it possible to re-up this please? Also Frost & Fire?

10 January, 2007 20:17  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you very much for this, and your other great posts!

22 January, 2007 17:06  

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