HARK! THE VILLAGE WAIT

When Hutchings left Fairport around the same time Denny did, it was to create a group that was to get back to the basics, back to the pure roots of folk, because he thought that FC had become bastardized musically and infected by both rock and other non-purist material. Let's face it, he was right, but then again we sort of liked this non-purest folk. So Hutchings set out to meet duo Hart/Prior and the Sweeney's Men Woods couple to form a super folk group that would record one album (this presently reviewed). The group's name came from a character in a fighting song Horkstone Grange (excuse my Linclonshire slang) . The Woods couple would quit without even playing a concert to join the Irish Dr. Strangely Strange and then form their own group The Woods Band. With a very provincial and pastoral artwork, SS' first album is certainly a folk rock landmark, but one must recognize there are very few things that would make this album a prog, least of all the songwriting as the songs are all reprise of traditional folk repertoire and the group only adapts them to their tastes. The drum stool is shared by the habitual duo: the irritating Dave Mattacks (check out his pedestrian boring style in Spirogyra) and the more passe-partout Gerry Conway.

After the almost a capella opening Calling-On Song, which shows that the group's stronger points would be the superb vocals especially singing in harmony. The next few tunes are definitely excellent folk, good adapted folk rock and somewhat electrified folk rock. Indeed some very excellent tunes like Blacksmith, Blackleg Miner, Fisherman's Wife, Quite Silent etc. Other songs (Greenmore, Dark-eyed Sailor, etc.) are relatively without much interest because already heard thousands of times before and SS is unable to give them a new life,.The group evens manages to unearth some real rare songs like the superb Copshawholme Fair and the fabulous Lowlands Of Holland. With this last track, an 6-mins gem that finally allows enough room for the musicians to expand and have a little interplay, SS seems headed straight for FC or Pentangle's territories of electrified folk rock, just what Hutchings wanted to avoid. Go Figure.

Overall I'd say that with this first album, SS comes as close as Malicorne and Ougenweide did for their own country's folk. A guardian, a restorer and a transmitter of faith and know-how. However highly I think of this album, you might be surprised at the very average (but good, not essential) rating I give, it is because I take a full star away because there isn't one single original song from the group or even a single member's composition.