TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

From the agents PR.....



The press launch is on August 5th. For invites, please contact Nick Hallamnick@albionfolk.co.uk

A very strange development imho. The Albions have only existed in their Christmas form for the last decade (well, almost) so there's no direct continuity.  It's not the passing of the torch...it's an entirely new band, so it just looks like nepotism gone mad.  What's in it for the legacy of the band itself?  What's in it for Blair and the rest of the band?  I can't see who wins.....   :-\

Refine this.....

Possibly Blair & the others as well as Ashley - the others getting a leg up to an audience which might not otherwise be exposed to them?

Yeah, I can see the thinking.... It will be interesting to see how it all pans out.  I have to admit to not really being a fan of much that the Albions have done since the mid 80's, but, as always, that's my problem, not theirs....

I suspect there'll be new music too - Kat Gilmore is lised as vocals, along with Blair.

I'll certainly give this a listen but for me the Albions are not the Albions unless Ashley is physically a member of the band. Otherwise Home Service would be the Albions!

Interesting development, sounds like it'll be another good folk-rock collective, nepotism or not. Albion Band - The Next Generation  :)

I have a real problem with this. Someone will see an ad, buy tickets for the Albion Band and then see "not the Albion Band". It's called "passing off" and is illegal.

Why will it not be the Albion Band if the person who owns the rights to the name has given their authorisation for these guys to trade under it?

I can play Wish You Were Here, I'm not Pink Floyd, even if Waters / Gilmour said I was.
I can play Thank You, I'm not Led Zeppelin, even if...
etc.

Although...the Albions have always been somewhat fluid in the membership department but AH has always been the constant factor.

Let me be clear, as long as the adverts make it clear that this Albion Band isn't the Albion Band, rather, an Albion Band with no-one who has ever played in any previous version, I have no problem.

If Jason Bonham and his mates toured as Led Zeppelin, I wouldn't think that right either.

I think I like the idea.  I think I understand it.  It is potentially confusing, though maybe I like that too.  The whole history of the changing band and its constant name has always had potential for confusion, so that's just following tradition, really!

It is the son of the founder of all things Albion, and apparently some of that material will still be performed.  (The rockier side, one may hope).

Very much a case of "wait and see", probably.  It may well work, if done properly - however that could be defined.  I agree, advertising and promotions that explain the situation would be invaluable.

No he toured as Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience.  Funnily enough the first, third and fifth words of the band name were tiny  :D

He didn't have the gall to play in the UK though...

Does this mean the end for the Albion Christmas Band?

If not it will be even more confusing.

Strange isn't it - Dr Feelgood were Dr Feelgood with no original members,and there was a certain band with no original members who did an album called Nine.
If this new Albion Band did one album with Tyger on bass, then he left to be replaced by Tim Yates, would it be ok then?
How about if Ralph McTell replaced Simon Nicol and Vo Fletcher replaced Peggy.Still Fairport?
Guess the sudden change,rather than gradual replacement, makes it hard to swallow.
Then again, is the Rise Up...line up the same band as the Give Me A Saddle...line up just because Ashley is in both?
Does this mean Robert Plant's Band Of Joy IS Led Zeppelin?
Or Wings The Beatles?
Or Plastic Ono Band The Beatles?
Or Ringo's All Starr Band The Beatles?
Or The Travelling Wilburys The Beatles?
Strange isn't it?

As I said before, Ashley has always been the constant which is what makes this seem weird. I love both the Rise Up & Saddle line ups btw. Not so much some of the ones in between.

yeah, I guess Albion Band = Ashley Hutchings Group in everyones mind.
As the blurb said, it's the spirit of the band that is continuing, rather than the personel, which is presumably
different to the spirit of Rainbow Chasers.

But the London Symphony Orchestra is still the LSO without any original members, just a matter of scale then ?
But seriously  I think its the sudden, rather than gradual change that makes the difference.

No to all of those questions except the last. The Travelling Wilburys are indeed The Beatles.  ;)

I agree with Al, hard to think of an Albion Band without Ashley playing bass and the occasional song. Maybe this should be the New Albion Band or something along those lines. I'm interested in this however, and if its like any other Ashley led project, who knows...there might be a whole new lineup by the followup! To get to Andy's point about "false advertising" this wouldn't be the first time Ashley's name has been on a project in which he hasn't actually been a participant-I'm thinking of Sway With Me, in which I believe it was called an Ashley Hutchings production. Now I very much felt the presence of Ashley on that album, and  in  no way was disappointed he hadn't played bass or sang, or recited a poem. Same goes for Street Cries, a very strong album under Ashley's name.

On further investigation, the all-new Albion Band have an EP called "Fighting Room" to be released soon, with a familiar looking cover...
http://www.albionfolk.co.uk/artist/artistdetails/artistId/42

I'm personally really looking forward to this. A name's a name, as long as the music is good I don't really care...

Will be interested to see how Tim juggles bass and box - I mean I know he's good, but....  ;)

Also, Tom Wright is listed as a producer - does this mean onstage production using technology a la Jim Moray? If so, I'm really looking forward to this!

Okay, sorry to be dense, but what is familiar looking about this cover?

Ashley is/was the albions, i'm a bit underwhelmed by the prospect of a tygerless albion band, a betterr name could have been found although i am intigued as to whether they intend to carry on in an albion styleee what with Britannia with a strat and all that

See The Prospect Before Us cover  :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prospect_Before_Us

Thanks ever so much, I even have that album on CD, but the cover just wasn't in my memory circuits like it would've
been if I'd ever seen it LP/Vinyl sized.

Hmm, well, er, interesting. I guess.
The good thing is that they have to, I mean HAVE to, come up with Some. Killer. Album to prove a point. That's probably something to look forward to. They have to. They can't just use that name (Tyger-approved or not, he's not in it after all), and release a so-so album.

It's a bit of a shocker really, but if done right it might be very worthwile. After all, there was never just THE Albion Band. Many line ups had barely anything in common but the guy on the bass, who occasionally did take a back seat. And now the guy on the bass ain't there. But his son is while the father is lurking in the shadows still. That's a literal passing of the mantle.

Actually, to be frank, I can't wait to hear what they will come up with. But it's some responsibility.

'New Albion; would have been fine for me on many levels

Yawwwnnnn, why can't his kid do something different. It's so boring when the kids go and do the same as the dad... generations of the same family working at Rover, generations of the same family in the Albion Band. What'll happen when it gets closed down?

On a similar note I went to see Penguin Cafe, another son of outfit. They played a mixture of old PCO and new stuff and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. I don't have a problem with this incarnation either.

ronnie

Join Matt Pegg's Fairport Convention or Teddy Thompson's Richard Thompson?

Only just logged on for the first time today. I really like the sound of that lineup, very talented musicians. Am looking forward to hearing them and will definitely look to book them.

I always felt that one of the great things about folk music is that it is passed down the generations to keep it alive and often the younger generation change it to make it more relevant to them and add different influences to the music. Surely this is exactly what is happening here.

Good luck to them.

Well put Andy

Well said.

Andy's approach makes a lot of sense to me too.

One question I wonder though is *why" Ashley isn't involved - does he not want to tour so much now, as the years pass?  (And fair enough if so).  Or did he just think the time was right to pass on the Albion name, while still doing other projects?

Age gap?

Well it'd certainly be a noticeable age gap if it was Ashley and not BD in this new line-up.  But I wonder, if "Blair is the new Ashley" in terms of the Albions, then an all-youthful band was always going to be the case.  Whereas if it was still Ashley at the helm, the line-up would be different anyway.

All conjecture, all "what if" and what will be will be.  I just like over-thinking.  :)

There's about 63 people, at last count, who have been in The Albion Band. I don't think anyone buying a ticket to see The Albion Band is going to be in the least bit surprised there will be four more they haven't seen before!

Andy, my response top you earlier probably wasn't best made - I was more referring to the fact you said it's passing off and it's illegal which, when they are given approval to use the name, it clearly isn't.

Maybe it's worth a straw poll on a separate topic to see who would go an and see Fairport Convention on their first Winter Tour after Simon Nicol calls it a day - would everyone who disagrees with what The Albion Band is doing stop listening to Fairport after the only original member still in the band (who incidentally also took time out of the band) leaves? It would be interesting to find out.

Interesting disccssion - rather along the lines of Simon Nicol  saying FC could be like a brass band or orchestra just keeping the flame and ethic of the band alive regardless of who is actually in it. I think this is very exciting looking band and certainly hope to see them. As to comments along the lines that it isn't really an Albion Band without Ashley it is a bit like saying it isn't a National Theatre Company without Olivier, or it can't be a Theatre Workshop show without Joan LIttlewood. Some names traditions bear retaining and the Albion Band is one of those for me - it has always been a moveable feast and this is simply the next direction.

DW

not the same thing at all really, is it?
no matter how many musicians have played under the "Albion" banner it was always Ashley's project, he wasnt called the guvnor for nowt. Simon as you said left FC for a few years in the 70's and FC soldiered on without a founder member, although there was some debate as to whether they should, mostly from within the band.
the albion moniker has been in retirement for a few years now, barring the Christmas tour, and its a bit rum of Blair to assume the mantle of albionity without his old fella on bass for a while at least.
what if it had been no relation who decided to form an albion band?
i'm in two minds as i'm quite keen to hear what they've come up with and the sleeve certainly hints of promise.

Fairport have toured with no original members in the band , during Simons sabbatical.

I guess the scenario would have been if Fairport had reformed in 1985 with Simon Nicol and Dave Pegg as producers but the band being for instance Ric, Maart, Chris, Gerry and Cathy le Surf.

Would that have been Fairport?

DW

well that's purely conjecture as maart , chris and gerry were not a part of the gladys leap record, but no, it wouldn't have been fairport then,if it happened in the future it would be if they wanted it to be, but there would have been a line of sucession of sorts and fairly seamless. the albions have a modicum of sucession but it's hardly seamless

The other distinction is that there was always a continuum with Fairport (as there would be with the orchestra or brass band analogies). Each line up has contained elements of the previous line up so it seemed fairly organic. That has always been the case with the Albions too, albeit that the continuum has largely been Ashley. That is not the case here. This is an entirely new band, an exciting sounding band unquestionably but a new band nevertheless.

That's my point - it seems a parallel to the Albions situation, a group of non Albion musicians taking on the mantle with the guidance and support of the previous band.

Just call them the New Albion Band and get on with it.

There are difficult philosophical questions here about the identity criteria for folk bands! Fortunately, I'm a professional philosopher ....

The first thing to say is that, pace Simon, I don't think the brass band/symphony orchestra analogies work, in so far as the way that we identify the persistence of one sort of thing isn't necessarily the same as the way we identify the persistence of another sort of thing. Brass bands and symphony orchestras are not typically identified by their members at all: frequently, we don't even know who those members are. Instead, they're identified by their links to a city or town, perhaps, or to certain patrons. Small folk-rock bands might not only be identified by their members, but, for all that, their members form (a necessary?) part of the manner in which we identify them.

If Wingates Brass Band were to change all its members tomorrow, because of the sort of thing it is, it would still be Wingates Brass Band. But, being a different sort of thing, if Fairport Convention were to change all its members tomorrow, I'd be inclined to say that the result would not be Fairport Convention (in part because we have a much greater interest in the individual members of a folk-rock band than we do in the individual members of a brass band, and that interest enters into the identity criteria for folk-rock bands). If you don't share that intuition, suppose this: tomorrow, the new Fairport forms, and the old carries on. They can't both be Fairport, since identity is a one-one relation. But if we want to say that the new Fairport is Fairport when the old Fairport no longer exists, but isn't when it does, then that makes the identity of the new band contingent on what other sorts of things there are in the world. And that doesn't seem right.

Of course, things aren't that simple. We know that folk-rock bands retain their identity through changes in personnel, though plausibly those changes need to be of a certain type (there needs to be a certain overlapping of membership, as there always has been in Fairport's case, in a "Ship of Theseus" sort of way). At least some rock/pop bands don't, though. How many Beatles would have had to have left before you no longer had the Beatles? Possibly only one (at least, post-fame: we can coherently  talk of a pre-Ringo Beatles, it would seem). But it doesn't work that way with all rock bands. Some seem to require only some members to remain (The Kinks have persisted through a number of line-up changes, but intuitively, if you don't have Dave and Ray, you don't have The Kinks). Others seem to be able to lose all their members over time (or do they? If we went to see, say, Freddie and the Dreamers sans either Freddie or any of the original Dreamers, would we perhaps say we hadn't really seen Freddie and the Dreamers? And add this into the mix: sometimes what we have to say is just a way of making a point: I've been known to say to people that I haven't really seen The Who, because I've only seen them with Kenney Jones rather than Keith Moon. But that's not really putatively fact-stating discourse, but the making of a point: I have really seen The Who).

*Applauds*  [;-)

Crikey. It's only rock n roll for gawd's sake.

Ah yes, but you see, I like it.  ;)

I have had that broom for thirty years, it's had three new heads and four new handles.

Is it? Are you sure?

But not both at the same time!

Have you been looking in my broom cupboard?

I am finding all of this discussion pretty entertaining, but to my mind it comes down to this: If the Albion band was "always" Ashley's
project, and he was/is "the guvnor" and that wasn't/isn't "for nowt", then I reckon we should accept Ashley's decree that this
is the Albion Band.  Certainly it is a NEW Albion Band, but if he and they don't feel the need to state it that way, I'm quite comfortable with that, knowing that they are.  It seems to me that if this band gives it a go and has some success, that won't undo any of what went before.
Just think of the Albion Band as the project Ashley focused on for the longest, and don't worry too much about their fate when he stops focusing on them, as the bands Ashley left have a pretty decent track record without him, even though he certainly was an important member whilst there in each of them.  Now, I'm not sure how well that might play out for the Rainbow Chasers, but even though I'm not too familiar with their work, I sure as hell hate the band name, so whatever.

When will Blair step out from under the shadow of his dad, or will he ride his coat tails forever?

Depends who replaces him.

The Albions minus Ashley is, yes, something that doesn't feel right, and from afar it doesn't look like it would work very well. Having said that, another example of this is Stackridge, who lost Mutter Slater last year due to other work. I saw Stackridge in April, and was surprised to see Warren and Davis but no Slater, and at first it was a bit dubious. But after listening and realising that, really, it is the music that is the constant factor in band continuity. And Stackridge, Slater less, are quite good. So it's possible the Albions could have the same effect. But we just don't know yet.

It can't be the only factor, though, otherwise The Bootleg Beatles would be The Beatles. And I take it they're not.

That doesn't seem a very nice thing to say - who knows how their relationship works.

DW

I agree andy and said it earlier in the thread

I am because I think I am............ I think.
Can you have half a hole?
What happens if you get to the end of infinity?
Why does anyone care what a 'new' band is called?

The beauty of Descartes' famous claim, though, is that even your thinking that you're not proves that you are!



No. Though you can have one hole half the size of another.



No "if" about it; you can't!



I don't know, but apparently they do, to judge by the current thread. And I don't think it's so much a worry about what they're called, as about what they're claiming to be.

Sorry, I promise I'll shut up now, before you all come round with the hemlock!

Well the last thing I expected was somebody comparing himself with Socrates, but I suppose you're the nearest thing we've got.

"now i'm getting older
And I find I've lost me pace,
My son who knows the figures
Will step in to take me place"
Ashley Hutchings, "Mr Trills Song" via Mr Fox and Grandson Of Morris On.

And so it came to pass.  Clearly Ashley's happy about it or it wouldn't have happened.  The folk process in action, really.

Also, what with the film and solo work, this is only part of Blair's activities anyway.  So no need for the impertinent, personal and probably jealous remarks occasionally surfacing here - by which I'm not referring to those expressing genuine concern in a mature fashion...

Still a VERY long way off, though!!

No, it's a horrible thing to say.

Blair on his own:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DLNi6yn3D2mc&h=FAQBPhwF2

I haven't posted here for quite a while but nothing changes - same negative thinking from all the usual suspects. I look forward to seeing The Albion Band and so should you.

I agree entirely. This was, other than Nic singing himself, my highlight of that gig. Blair was so much better when he didn't have his Dad playing along with him. He's a very good guitarist, he's got a great voice and he's not bad looking either. He also happens to be doing a similar thing to his Dad. So?

I think some people need to get off their high horses and just enjoy the music (man :P).

And perhaps even go so far as to appreciate the fact you can see an Albion Band live at all!  Not one single line-up has ever made it to the southern hemisphere (though that *may* change with this one...)

So be grateful, that's all.

Ah Hemlock.What a band they were. All children of the original members of Hemlock. Very derivative of Gryphon

If the music's good, does it really matter what the band's moniker is?

Nail. Head. Sorted.

I would think the name is only really a problem if there is intent to mislead, and that isn't the case here.
Anyone who is interested in the Albion Band will know what they are getting, and anyone who isn't interested won't go anyway. Or if they get dragged along to a gig by a friend, they will just enjoy it or not purely on the merits of the gig itself.

As Fairport followers we are used to different configurations of a band and although we discuss the merits and skills of these different incarnations we understand that it is still Fairport...  ;)

Indeeed I would humbly suggest that no other band has had so many changes in line up in a long existance :D

Why should it be any different for Albion Band??? What we need to be doing is looking to a new mix of music in the same tradition and taking  the opportunity to reflect and rejoice in the talants that are brought together and the way that  blend changes

Good luck to Blair , Ashley and other band members old new and yet to be unveiled :)

Dave P

Agreed, but, pace Mr Angry, the situation is unusual, and I think it's only fair for it to be discussed, in a discussion forum.

And therein lies the point. I don't think anyone is angry, just a bit surprised that there should be a new line up of the Albion Band with no physical link to any previous incarnation. I think it looks like a great line up and I look forward to hearing them. I just have trouble thinking of them as the Albion Band. Now if they called themselves Sons of Albion (with all due respect to Katriona), that would be great. But as others have said, what's in a name?

Whilst I understand the criticism of the opinions of  those who, like me, who don't approve of this as currently described, I'd just like to try and clarify why I think what I think.

1) Intent to mislead isn't the point, if a punter sees "The Albion Band" with no qualifiers, then they'd be entitled to see at least some previous members (see (2). Also, intentional or not, using a band's name after it becomes defunct leads to all kinds of interesting points. Even worse is when multiple ex-members creat multiple bands with the old name (such as Bucks Fizz) but at least we're avoiding that particular nightmare.

2) As to the "original member" point about Fairport incarnations that haven't included one, the point was always that there were some common members between one incarnation and the next

3) The LSO argument doesn't apply because they won't be advertising themselves as such, they advertise the music - although the Berlin Philharmonic, for instance, has a good rep, I'd still not go to their performance if they're playing a piece that I know I won't like, such as Stockhausen  - can't stand the blighter's music. Even then, I've never heard of an orchestra which completely changed personnel all in one go. So there's still some continuity.

Now I know that we can agree to disagree, so rather than abreacting to those who don't agree with you here, let's try and confine the arguments to non-personal statements about TAW'ers or indeed the New Albion Band's membership.

As I've said before, my simple solution is to prefix the band name with the word "New". It implies a succession, even similar musical style, but does not imply that any band members were in the Albion Band we saw last year.

Sons of Albion is already taken mate. God knows what trouble that would cause, The Albion Band turn up with none of the same members playing completely different music. Actually till I looked it up I thought Sons of Albion was a slightly slow on the uptake terrorist organisation fighting against the Roman occupation.


While we're on the subj. , does anybody remember the Stretch/Fleetwood Mac affair? In the middle of a Mac meltdown, the only member willing and able to tour a set of US dates was Mick Fleetwood, so they recruited Stretch (one hit, the magnificent "Why did you do it?") to fill in for the brain-addled AOR combo. Unfortunately, Mick then dropped out as well, leaving the lads to an increasingly embarassing and protest-ridden progress round the Mid-west. Now that really was passing-off.

I think a lot depends on the advertising.  If that makes clear that Ashley's not involved and all the members are new, people can judge for themselves whether to buy tickets or not.

For me, without wishing to sound too pretentious, the question is how does the musical vision of the band relate to the name?  In the past it was easy: Ashley founded the band, Ashley was the ever-present, Ashley's musical vision defined what the band did.  Although his son is there he isn't, so what makes this an "Albion Band" as distinct from a new band with these members called something else entirely?

I get the impression they'll be doing some older "classic era" Albion material, so there's that link right there.

To me the release suggests that Ashley is almost MDing the project at the start- in some ways helping the new generation fly on their own sturdy home made wings

Well, no, but it might put some people off hearing the music in the first place....

Jules

Where from? (I obviously missed that)

http://www.albionfolk.co.uk/artist/artistdetails/artistId/42

"The band will perform self-penned, re-written and traditional material *as well as re-booted Albion Band classics* in what promises to be a diverse and energetic live set."

Like the New Seekers!  :D

They were an insult to Judith Durham. Sorry, off topic.

When all is said and done, I know quite a few folkies, who are not members of any folk-based discussion boards/lists, and my concern is that they'll turn up expecting to see Ashley.

I suppose the question is what will the adverts and associated words say. Will it make it clear that Ashley will not be on stage?

For the curious, a Christmas Albion Band tour and CD are planned for this winter.

The new band announcement says they'll will start touring in 2012.  What that means for any future Christmas Albion projects is open to conjecture.

I guess a photo of the line-up could be sufficient in that regard?

Oh, and their version of Pinball Wizard! A travesty! Sorry, still off topic.

Well I've asked for the Cd that will be available after the launch in Sidmouth so will be interested to hear what they sound like.

That's the Albion Christmas Band Andy, if we're going to be picking nits here...

Or New Labour  ;)

I do beg your pardon, Simon, a slip of the wrist.

Watch what you say everybody, the Chipping Norton Set is listening

I've left a message on my answerphone for them.

Didn't Moby Grape have a dispute over use of the name so for a while some of them toured as Maby Grope?

That probably doesn't move the subject on very much, but it has always made me smile.  :)

I challenged Blair to play Merry Sherwood Rangers a while back - piece of cake to him I should think!

Do you mean Ashley was Old Labour and New Labour was the one with Blair ?
Or am I getting him mixed up with Bliar ?

 ???

I don't really understand the hostility to this idea. Lots of Swing Bands from the 1940s are still going with no original members---but they do maintain the traditions and repertoire of the original. Personally, I am delighted that this is happening.

Go for it I say. Its Ashleys band so he choses the line and has chosen this one. So its Ashleys band.

Anyway, the more [hopefully] big name folk rock bands the better!


An interesting aside:

Steeleye in '77/78:

M Carthy
M Prior (original member)
T Hart (original member)
R Kemp (part of 'classic' Hat/Six/Rogues etc line up)
N Pegrum (in 'classic' line up)
Kirkpatrick

Steeleye in '97-'00

G Woods (original member)
P Knight (played in 1st live SS performance so basically original member)
B Johnson (part of 'classic' line up)
T Harries (13 years in band)
D Mattacks (guest)

who should you call Steeleye?  ??? ;)  :-X :D

oh, and a final 'made up' line up:

A Hutchins (founder), Bass
T Woods (original member), Multi Inst.
K Nicol (9 years in band), Lead G
L Genochy (on stool, off and on since '89)
Tamsyn Alexander, vocals (one off SS concert in 2001).

3 complete bands in one!

I don't think there is the slightest problem with no original members etc...the issue here is one of continuity (or lack of it).  This is an entirely new band, with no connection to the previous Albion band except the fact that the lead bloke's Dad used to run that.  It's about as silly as Julian Lennon starting a new version of the Beatles...

Well maybe not that silly, but I still agree with your basic point.

Jules

I really think many people are missing the point that Ashley is behind the new project and therefore there is a continuity albeit behind the scenes rather than on stage.

DW

But I don't think people pay to hear someone behind the scenes. It is starting to get like "The Four Tops" who appear to be operating some sort of franchise with a choice of lineups. If you have new group of musicians let them stand (or fall) on their own merits not cover themselves in the mantle of some past group.
Grump over I shall now go and see if I can find my tent pegs.

Well this one won't anyway...!

I imagine they'll be on the stage at Cropredy 2012 anyhow, so I'm sure we'll find out what they're like then...

I'm lucky enough to have a copy of the new EP, as a friend was doing sound at the press conference at Sidmouth. The track listing as follows:

Thieves' Song (Gavin Davenport)
Ragged Heroes (John Tams)
Newfoundland Sailor (Trad. arr. Albion Band)
No Sir No! (Trad. arr. Albion Band)
A Taoist Tale (Tucker Zimmerman)

Certainly an Albion Band for the 21st Century, and rocks like a very rocky thing, with lots of modern production techniques. I'll admit on first hearing, I'm not overly fond of their treatment of A Taoist Tale (as I have both Nic Jones' and Wood Wilson Carthy's versions engrained in my head), but I'm generally very impressed and really quite excited about it all. Who care's what they're called, it's damned good music!

That's really good news, looking forward to hearing them !

I've got a copy of the EP too so shall be listening with interest.  The band certainly contains a lot of talent!

What I hadn't realised was that the band will actually be called "The Albion Band" - I was presuming the word "New" was being inserted.  Anyway, about to listen to the CD.

First impression - very like classic Steeleye with more welly! (this is good!)

Sounds good, Thanks, Ollie.
Looking forward to hearing more.

I wonder if there will be any copies for sale around Cropredy...?

i wouldnt bet against it being there

There may well be, now the press conference is out of the way.

If they are, I think they're about £5, and well worth every penny!

Can I slowly prepare the way for myself to eat my own words? Sounds interesting! :)

CD waiting for me on my return home today, will let you know what I think later.

Sadly no CDs at Cropredy that I could see. A pity as I was hoping to pick one up.

Wow, not sure what I was expecting, but the EP is brilliant, certainly puts the "Rock" back in the genre. Great musicianship and vocals, 5 very strong tracks. I definitely stand by my earlier comment about passing on to the next generation, they have done an excellent job.

Just a shame they are looking for bigger venues than the one I use to promote bands, though I just hope they play somewhere close on next years tour. Can't wait for a full album.

Straght away? Not a chance! The Musicianm is the size I would be looking to put them in. Who is their agent? (hopefully not Ashley).

Blair missed a big chance at Cropredy - he should have got them up during his set to play at least a couple. Would have done them more favours than getting his Dad up.

Nick Hallam at Albion Folk - http://www.albionfolk.co.uk/

Just got the ep. Sounds great really looking forwards to seeing them live.

Where can we get the EP?

I just asked for one and it was sent to me free. Not sure whether that's because I'm a promoter or not. This is what it says on the website.

"Alternatively contact us here at Albion Folk and we will forward you a copy of the cd after the event."


http://www.albionfolk.co.uk/artist/artistdetails/artistId/42

nick@albionfolk.co.uk

Thanks , will try there

Not exactly a give away, but it's available here:


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220832066753

Ordered.

The quote on the ebay listing, taken from a website that seems to be still under construction is quite revealing I think. I am getting used to the idea, particularly if the music is as good as reports seem to indicate.

I got mine free by asking for one! I'm not a promoter or anything.

Oh well!  :-[

Hopefully some of the money will find its way back to the band. I was prepared to pay for a copy if it had been on sale at Cropredy so I'm not too bothered.

*munches away on his headgear*

I've listened to nothing else (but the new CD) for the last couple of days....and...

Well, very simply, it reminds me of why I got into this (folk-rock) genre of music approximately 30 years ago, and why I feel so sad when I listen to the latest releases put out by that genre's 'mothership'.

I will do everything in my power to support this band, and I very much look forward to seeing them next year.

(Just how wrong is it possible to be about something?!  Whoops...)

Wow - high praise indeed!

Is there a link to a soundbite of this record so that I can get a taste?

Jules

I bought it off Gavin Davenport at Sidmouth (£5)

They're feature in the August FolkCast - http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes064.html

Do I have to listen to the whole thing, or do you know at what juncture they appear?  Not that I'm opposed to listening to over an hour of folk, you understand.....

Jules

According to the times at the side, the track is at 13:58 to 17:52.  :P

Thanks, fella.

Jules

It's also exceptionally good!  Got to get me this CD...

Oi, you'll listen to the lot and like it!   ;)
Or not - but if not you'll miss a lot of other cool music that you should also know about, from a wide and varied selection of artists playing a wide and varied selection of styles: Helen Dorothy - Bateleurs - Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts - The Albion Band - The Cecil Sharp Project - David Serby - Nick Tann - Ken Nicol - Acoustra - Red Kite Rising - Steve Blackstone - Phil Beer - The Saw Doctors.

Damn - caught red handed!  OK, Widds, I'll have a listen to the whole show tomorrow...depending on how ropey I feel after the dental hygienist has had her wicked way with me.   ;D

Jules

I fear I am going to be the voice of dissent here. My copy arrived yesterday and I wanted to like it more than I did. There is much to enjoy about their approach. It is folk and it rocks. What more can you ask? But my feeling is they really need a singer. I just don't like the voice (Gavin?), or perhaps the vocal style on most of the tracks at all. I will persist with it and hopefully it will grow on me or maybe they will allow Blair or Katriona to take more of the lead vocals on future recordings.

We both found the EP to be excellent and very enjoyable. Shades of one of the voices in Albion Country Band #1!!

I agree that the vocals are the weakest point, but it doesn't bother me too much. Gavin sings on all the tracks, bar Newfoundland Sailor which is Blair.

Feel free to add comment to my review (http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=38302.msg570646#msg570646)

Have done...

The unkind might suggest that weak vocals on an Albion Band CD are not a new thing - eg those with Ashley all along......

Not that I could do any better in either case.

Ashley's vocals have grown on me, given the right song. They work perfectly well on something like Kitty Come Down The Lane or Pat Nevin Flew In On A Wing & A Prayer (one of my favourite Ashley songs). And his Dylan covers are usually pretty sound.

It is not so much weak vocals that bother me as mannered vocals (sadly usually derived from some perception of traditional folk singing).

Just noticed the new Albion Band has a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Albion-Band/178617832209025

It has quite a few pics of the band rehearsing, and some posed shots (several including Ashley H.)

Some good pics there - wonder where they were taken - it's a Wards pub, so could be S Yorks/Notts - possibly Sheffield?

They are all living in that area atm...until Blair moves to Siuth Wales soon! Nice commute!

On tour 5-18 March next year (currently booking the gigs) apparently...  :)

Well spotted! It's The Riverside, Mowbray Street in Sheffield. The mural is 'The Harnessing of Giant Squids' by Phlegm.

(It's not a Wards pub any more though)

Just up on the Facebook page:

WE'RE LOOKING FOR A GUITARIST!!! We need a 6th member. Someone who plays Electric guitar. If you are/know someone between 21 and 40 who is a versatile Electric guitarist with a knowledge of Folk Rock and an interest in other genres, get in touch!!! Youtube clips, demo MP3s, myspace/soundcloud links, etc to nick@albionfolk.co.uk

Ageism  :-[

I know, right? I think I'll sue. ;)

Their first date announced at ..... Whitley Bay Playhouse. How many does that place hold?!!

Tickets £19.50 plus booking fees take it well over £20 for a new band.....Sunday 18 March. Tickets on sale today.
http://www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk/events/4611/the-albion-band

Hmmm.....

The text on the Playhouse site doesn't say that it's a bunch of twentysomethings playing in the spirit of the Albion Bands of yesteryear. In which case 19.50 is quite a bold move. "New line up", sure, but there was one every year for decades anyway, so that's not very clear.

Speaking southern hemispherically, I just hope someone YouTubes a few songs from the gig.  :)

I wonder if would be wise, or the opposite of wise, for perhaps Ashley to be there to intoduce the band, so the audience is aware of the baton-passing if they weren't before.  Presumably he'd be there anyway?  Though Ashley Hutchings introducing the Albion Band and then not playing with them would be a little surreal, I imagine.

No bottom line here, sorry!

Short, scathing review of the EP in fRoots.  I don't think he/she liked it very much! Oh well, each to their own, etc, etc

Care to quote it (if it's that short?), Paul?  Or is it *really* awful?   :)

The EP is excellent, IMO.

Edit to add:  But the review is smug and ignorant: http://www.frootsmag.com/content/issue/reviews/

Oh dear - smug is right - I beg to differ, and my copy of the CD is worn out already - I like the "retro" feel - puts the "rock" firmly back in "folk / rock" just where I like it.

They can call themselves whatever they like if they bring out a full CD of the same - and I guess it'll call for a long trek across t'irish Sea if I'm to see them live next year..................

I agree... think it's brill too.  

Someone - IAA or CI (assuming one of them didn't write it...certainly doesn't read like it) - needs to have a word with whoever did write that.  Not impressed that passed editorial muster.  A bad review is all fine as long as it is well argued.  That is just unpleasant....  Not nice at all.

Ah they just have to learn to take the good reviews along with the bad... It's character building... ::)

Review of ahab on the same page is pretty awful too....

I find it rather hypocritical they use a phrase such as "It’s like the last few decades never happened" when their version of so-called critique echoes that of particularly the NME in the late 70s, who would regularly give similar too-clever-by-half "reviews" to acts that weren't flavour of the moment.  

Does this work-experience reviewer actually not know who Ashley is, when they talk about "their parents' record collection"??  Beyond pathetic if so.

I agree, if it was a well thought through negative review then fair enough.  But it obviously wasn't.

I usually find that if FR hates it I'll love it ....  ::)

I just feel the EP reviewer was "lazy"; not the usual decent standard of review I'd expect.

Re-reading the Ahab review, I feel much the same way about that one.  

Then again, these are the releases that didn't make it to the main review section.

I'm all for constructive criticism.

Maybe the addition of another electric guitarist will mean reviews in NME instead!  :)

The Albion Band review was unnecessarily cruel. I take Jude's point-if your going to be in the business, you have to expect that of course, but I'm with Michael on this, it was especially harsh for no reason. The fact that its under the cloak of anonymity, as they so glibly say means they can ramp up the unnecessary nastiness. Same goes for the Ahab review....bankrupt of originality is bankrupt of an understanding of music. But this is an Albion thread so lets just say I can't wait until a full album comes out and FR has to dispatch a writer with a name to the review....lets see if that smugness remains. Sorry....saw this and read the review and it really p****d me off.

Spoke with Blair last night - debut album due in time for debut tour in late Spring next year. The album will be fresh tracks - none from the EP

Debut gig though will be headlining Cheltenham Folk Festival's Saturday night next February.

It was quite amusing that both he & Ashley had seen this review, but were avoiding discussing it with each other. That was, until I said what a pile of sh1t the review was, and Ian A's decision to print what wasn't journalism. That broke the ice! And they both agreed....

Blair got some good news before going on stage too - he's made it to thr last 4 in the BBC Young Folk Award....

They are headlining at Cheltenham Folk festival? Personally, I think that's appalling. Not because they aren't good enough, but because if they had started under a different name, I'm certain they wouldn't have got that particular slot.

I still think it should be clearer that these aren't a band including Ashley.

Donna

Well they would wouldn't they.

Personally I think the reviewer nailed it - Seventies prog folk with dreadful vocals, barely worth the hundred words it was given.  As for the Cheltenham Folk festival slot, where I see they're billed as The Albion Band, it is indeed appalling and the festival should know better and have a better booking policy.

Just checked http://www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk/folk-festival/ and they've made it clear that the band are a new line-up, but then there's nothing new there with regards the Albion Band.

However, I then followed some of the links and noticed this:

2012 sees the Albion Band reformed and rebooted with a completely new line up of the best young English folk talent.

The new line-up brings a slightly edgier approach to traditional English folk music. Founder, Ashley Hutchings will be handing the torch down to his son, Blair Dunlop (Guitar and Vocals) who will be joined by the talents of Gavin Davenport (Vocals), Tom Wright (Drums), Katriona Gilmore (Fiddle, Mandolin and Vocals) and Tim Yates (Bass and Melodeon). (Bold highlights per the website).

On the one hand, there is a photo next to the para with no Ashley, on the other, it isn't really obvious from the above para, unless you are really thinking about the words, that Ashley isn't in the band.

I do not understand why some seem to feel this new Albion outfit is an affront to music consumer rights. There is nothing deceptive or unclear about any of the press releases.

As for the festival gig, well, it just puts that much more pressure on them to live up to the shoes they are filling. If they don't, the whole project will go down in flames: end of story.

Agreed, a terrible and unnecessarily unkind review, but doesn't FRoots usually have a bias towards world music ? (i.e. it's not their kind of thing and they wouldn't have liked it anyway)

Having just looked at the Chelt FF website (thanks for reminding me to do so, Leahdon!), I see the headliners on the other 2 nights are Dervish and Brass Monkey, so, no pressure on the latest Albion incarnation to deliver then!  

Weekend tickets are £69 at the moment - I'd better get mine booked.

(I wonder if there'll be some "warmup" gigs ahead of Chelt...)

I asked Blair about that - nothing planned in public.....

Has R2 magazine reviewed it yet?  I'd expect a more intelligent review from them.

Another excellent performance from Blair :)

[attachment deleted by admin]

Loving the potential of this new Albion band. Have to agree with the poster above who said its the sort of music that got him into Folk Rock in the 1st place.
Loving the new sound.
Whilst not perfect vocally I think you can get away with it in this style of music. Edgy is good and imperfection is great!
'Clean', 'polished' sounding bands are killing the Folk/Rock genre. This just might help turn the tide.

And all the better if froots hates it. :)

Seems the new album will be called "Vice Of The People" - and here's some pics of the current recording:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.226269390777202.51925.178617832209025&type=1

I've only just come across this thread, but I read every page from the beginning. To me this is a fascinating topic, as we're living in a time when a lot of famous bands are running short on established members. There are two versions of Wishbone Ash on the go, and while one is at pains to declare itself 'official', each band has only one original band member working with a few hired guns. No doubt there are many other examples of this. A band name is also a brand name, and sometimes 'official' just means one musician owns the business rights. There's a bit more to a band's identity than that, as several people have already commented.

I suppose what makes The Albion Band an interesting example – even before you deal with the present line-up – is the fluidity of the band in the past. The only consistent presence was Ashley, and to begin with he was a non-singing bassist who composed very little. The character of the band was highly dependent on the musicians he hired, so you got the John Tams period, then Cathy le Surf, etc. Plus there was the fact that the band changed almost beyond recognition between the 70s and the 80s: you had a group heavily influenced by the folk tradition, then a contemporary band trying to carve out a modern sound. Numerous line-up changes followed, and the styles ranged from hard rocking to 'unplugged' acoustic. And frankly, I don't know if the band retained much identity or interest by the time of its demise.

I remember on the official Albion Band website, Ashley announced that the band had split 'due to the decreasing number of gigs available', which was eerily reminiscent of Spinal Tap's appeal 'becoming more selective'. This isn't to say Ashley had suffered a succession of exploding drummers, but does suggest the band weren't exactly setting the world alight. Their farewell slot at Cropredy was halfway through the afternoon, if memory serves. This doesn't suggest there's a blazing baton to pick up, but if Ashley and his son feel it's worthwhile, then that's their prerogative. Ultimately it's the number of (or lack of) punters that'll decide the matter. It's a controversial but intriguing move, quite fitting with the wayward character of The Albion Band.

Not to mention the period where there were two Albion Bands in existence, one at the National Theatre being the house band for Lark Rise To Candleford and the concurrent, unrecorded version that Ashley put together to fulfil gig commitments.

They've got their website (http://www.thealbionband.com/) up & running - with a whole tour organised....looking forward to it.

hmmm Camberley probably for me ;D

Oooh Edinburgh. I'll check my diary

ronnie

Very good website - and anyone checking it will be well aware of the line-up being Ashley-less, which was part of the concern before.

Except imho when it links to the shop and it all gets a bit confusing (for the uninitiated at least) again (and the design scheme reverts to the 'old' website too)...

That's because it links back to the old website, not a different page on the new site.

Crikey. Worthing! I wish them luck. I'll try and go so they won't feel too lonely!

Certainly ambitious for a new band, there are some fairly large venues on that list, one can but wish them luck.

Is the Worthing Assembly Hall the venue opposite the Royal Mail building would you know Al?

Yes, that's the one. Well, nearly opposite, behind the town hall and the library. Even the Fairports have not been able to fill it for some years. The Albions don't stand a chance. There is just no audience in Worthing. It could be embarrassing.

I saw Nils Lofgren there some years back in a half empty hall and Ian Hunter & Mick Ronson in front of three men and a dog. Things haven't improved since then.

Sounds ominous then.   :-\

Seems strange that the new AB should choose such large venues when the reason for Ashley knocking the band on the head in the first place was lack of economically viable gigs..Unless the new AB are supporting a more bankable act..

I did wonder that.  I can't see any other possibility.  Colston Hall with 100 people in it would be an interesting experience....

I guess it's not the main hall at the Colston - there's a smaller room at the venue (can't remember the name at the mo')

"Hall 2"? ;D

I know when I tried to book them they were looking at venues in the 400-600 range.

I'd probably agree, if the band was made up of unknowns, but all of the members (other than the guitarist) are relatively well-known on the folk scene, which is probably what they're hoping will sell the tickets.

Croydon Ashcroft Theatre and possibly Tunbridge Wells - beware of row L at Tunbridge Wells, the seats are hard and very uncomfortable, but parking is free!!

At Croydon however, be prepared for draconian parking charges - £8 unless there is a deal with the Fairfield. It used to be possible to take your ticket to the booking office and pay a reduced rate of £5.

Just bought a Windows 7 PC and was at last able to watch my HD video of Blair playing Canadeeio at the In Search of Nic Jones gig last May - superb!!

Just up on their Facebook page:

"Happy new year to one and all. We are just listening to the mastered version of the new album. It is going to be EPIC. looking forward to 2012!"

I asked for a tracklist and was informed... "The track list is 12 in number. 2 tracks have been preformed by previous Albions. Most of the rest was written for the album by the current lineup..."

Looking at King's Lynn .... 1st April  ::)

Bit of a stretch for you, Barry?.....:-)

Not really, Chris.  The goddaughters and their Mum live just down the road, so a weekend visit and a trip to the gig with Mum is a distinct possibility.

Ooh. Yes, I think I may well see you there.

Croydon booked by my diary secretary ::)

New track from the new album.

http://thealbionband.bandcamp.com/track/one-more-day

Liking that a lot!

the new album is feckin awesome
simon

Me too  :)

Do you want some of this humble pie? I baked a few especially for you lot.  ;D  ;)

hahahaha  ollie ..... love it..nearly spat my wine everywhere  when i read that lol

I don't think anyone was questioning the ability of the band, just the appropriateness of the nomenclature.

I'll still be amazed if there are more than three men and a dog at Worthing Assembly Rooms but that is more about the venue than the act.

The Fighting Room EP was good, this preview track is good, hopefully bodes well for the rest of the album !

It's good to see there's no confusion regarding the line up of this Albion Band....

http://www.allgigs.co.uk/view/artist/4218/The_Albion_Band.html

Lol...  :)

now that was never going to happen , was it?

Gavin Davenport from the New Albion Band is writing a blog for UK Folk Music, and is about to produce a new article for us in the next few days.

http://www.ukfolkmusic.co.uk/blog/guest-writers/gavin-davenport/

We hope to be receiving a copy of the album for us to review and perhaps feature in a UK Folk Music podcast soon.



Alan
UK Folk Music - http://www.ukfolkmusic.co.uk

Listen Our Podcasts Here : http://www.mixcloud.com/Folkwaves/

I've suggested this be fixed, and it has been....

It has? I'm seeing
"
The Albion Band at Blackfriars Theatre and Arts Centre on Sunday 4th Mar 2012
Blackfriars Theatre and Arts Centre
The Albion Band
Folk
Influential English electric folk band formed by Ashley Hutchings in 1971 whose members past-and-present read like the great-and-the-good of the folk world, including: Phil Beer, Martin Carthy, John Kirkpatrick, Julie Matthews, Maddy Prior, Martin Simpson, Linda Thompson, Richard Thompson, Chris While, Kellie While, Pete Zorn and many more.
Releases include "Lark Rise to Candleford", "Rise Up Like The Sun" and "Shuffle Off".
Influenced
The Owl Service
Related
Martin Carthy Richard Thompson Ashley Hutchings Chris While and Julie Matthews John Kirkpatrick Linda Thompson Maddy Prior Martin Simpson Home Service Julie Matthews Ken Nicol Phil Beer Barry Coope Joe Broughton John Tams Kellie While "

Which Albion Band is playing there then?

I'm genuinely confused.

It is right, technically, covered by "and many more" in the past-and-present.

THose named are past, "and many more" are present :-)

Not wishing to stir it all up again, this was always likely to happen with use of the name which can only have been done to use 40 years worth of publicity. There will be people out there I'm sure who won't be on forums like this and won't bother to research (why should they) and may well expect a line up featuring Ashley and friends.The New Albion Band would have been better IMHO.

Musically, it sounds pretty good and my issue is not with the musicians involved at all btw.

I'm not the least bit confused - it's perfectly straightforward to me ::) ::)

This new Album - Absolutely Amazing !
I picked up a copy yesterday - played it in the car again today - it Rocks!
Those who go to Cheltenham this weekend are in for a great night.
The strongest Albion Recording for a very long time . Great Guitar and Fiddle and a Huge drum sound .
Great Harmonies and a Big Production- Yet still that Albion heart.They had a History to live up to -and have succeeded beyond expectation.This is the new generation -recharged -Albion band- long may it Rock.
Hats off to all involved.
Simon Care - yes! Awesome about hits the mark.
Now when are these tour dates for March      
   
 

Tour dates are on the band's website...

Where did you get the album from? I didn't know it had been released yet. Have only heard One More Day.

I was wondering that, after I'd posted... it's not listed on Amazon, or on the band's webshop...

Must be a review copy.

I got my copy from Katriona Gilmore.The individual members are selling them at their own shows.
I believe Gavin has a few dates and probably the others as well.It will certainly be at Cheltenham for those who cannot wait .
     

Thanks Giles.

Yes, thanks Giles - it's my wife's birthday bash (in Cheltenham!) on Saturday, so I can't get to the AB gig; but I might try to pop over to the venue earlier in the day to see if I can find a copy.  :)

A positive review here: http://www.allanwilkinson.co.uk/node/2187

"An impressive debut from a band that has been around for over forty years."

Excellent review.  Really looking forward to the album.

As a newbie I'm still catching up here, but I haven't seen anything from people who were in Cheltenham on Saturday night so you might like to know how it went. Bear in mind that I'm a 60-something who came into folk rock early and these day's I'm folky rather than rocky.

Well, quite a few people left early (shades of Dylan!) One told me it was she couldn't hear anything above the drums, which may be what you expect with an enthusiastic drummer in Cheltenham Town Hall. Tom Wright was certainly much more prominent than on the CD, but either the sound balance changed or I was able to screen him out a bit, because it didn't worry me after the first few minutes. By then we'd already been warmed up with a slightly nervous "Quarter Hour of Fame" and a fine "Roll Over Vaughan Williams" that set the tone for the evening: interesting new stuff and an intelligent choice from the edgier end of the back catalogue. (The defining moment of the evening for me was quite late on, when Kat Gilmore first referred to it as our back catalogue, well done Kat). Best of the new stuff was Thieves' Song and Babylon, played as a pair, protest songs that made their point well. Low point was the joshing over it being Blair's 20th birthday, but then they are young and showed it, while I am old and felt it!

My overall impression was that there is something a bit unformed here, but the musical foundation is strong and there could be something really outstanding on the way when they get over the novelty of being, as it were, the Chosen Ones. The lead seemed to be coming from Kat and Gavin Davenport, with Ben Trott doing some very good stuff in the background. There still seems to be some confusion about who's actually playing the bass, as Tim Yates and Blair shared the role - and neither of them sounded in Ashley's league to me, but that may be a bit harsh.

For completists, the line-up turned up again on Sunday during Gavin's acoustic "an hour or so ... and friends" set in the Playhouse; acoustic, so they all brought guitars and realised that nobody had an acoustic bass ... so Blair cheerfully sang (bom-bommed) the bass line and it all went fine. A committed, happy and excited bunch of people from whom we can reasonably expect great things in the future.

 

 

I really enjoyed their debut at Cheltenham on Saturday too, and Blair's vocal bass on Sunday was brilliant.  I was stewarding on one of the doors on Saturday night, and noticed people leaving early, but the gig did finish at 11.30 which may have been a factor.  We noticed that the band didn't seem to be taking themselves too seriously and were having a lot of fun - long may that continue!

The new album is now available from http://www.thealbionband.com/shop. Hope y'all like it.

I have just been looking at the ticket sales for the Worthing Assembly Hall gig on 9 March (just two weeks away). By my count they have sold about 34 tickets for a 500 (approx) seat venue.

I am planning to go but this is exactly what I feared. It is always excruciating when the audience only just outnumbers the band, especially in a big room.

Just go and enjoy the music, we certainly will in Croydon.

Much as I am interested I feel that the organisation for their inaugral tour has not been thought out well.  Ticket prices of £18.50 (both my nearest venues) are what I would expect for an established band.  They may have an established name but they also have something to live up.  I hope that they do but I feel that cheaper ticket prices and smaller venues would have encouraged more people to take a punt on them.  Releasing their CD a month ago may also have encoraged people to go because they are good, rather than out of curiosity.

Such negativity ::) ::) ::)

Interview with the band - listen, be positive, and half fill your glasses :) :) :)
http://www.allanwilkinson.co.uk/node/2209

£18.50 is quite a stretch for a lot of people for any new band.

Really? "A lot of people" will spend a lot more than £18.50, even of their "benefits" on beer and cigarettes in a week!

OK lets not start this argument please. Some would say the names in the band make it worthwhile others would say they have to prove themselves worthy of the name first in order to justify the ticket price. At the end of  the day it is down to personal choice and priorities.

Neil

Don't work on iPad

Those reports of the CD being excellent?  They were correct.  Very much so.  :)   Definitely living up to the name and its history, while still adding their own mark to it.

Absolutely!  My copy arrived in the post yesterday and I'm loving it!

Not got the cd yet but loving the tracks I've heard so far. Wish them a happy and successful tour

Hallo Stephen. As per Neil's enjoining us not to get into a scrap, all I will say that, as with all new acts, I am a sceptical supporter. Indeed I reviewed their EP here and elsewhere reasonably favourably.

Frankly, £18.50 is a lot for me, and no, I'm neither on benefits, nor do I smoke. So, my personal opinion is that it's a tad more than I am willing to pay at this stage of the nascent career of this version of the band.

I look forward to hearing the CD and, indeed, wish them a happy and successful tour.

No scrap intended Andy, I'll post a report of the Croydon gig afterwards.

It is an interesting discussion though - the Albion Christmas Band last year were selling tickets at the £12 - £15 mark with an established lineup and following. One can go and see bands who graced the Cropredy mainstage such as Travelling Band or Ahab in clubs / pub upper rooms (the likes of the Jericho, Oxford or Hare and Hounds, Birmingham) for £12 or so, for a band which is likley to be successful on its live following rather than album sales an £18.50 price tag for a first tour seems a strange management decision. I really hope it works and they get decent houses but wonder where their audience will come from at that price.

DW

Just looked at Stockport Plaza for March 27th - looks like there are only 8 tickets sold so far!!!!

The general discussion would be interesting but not necessarily here and without the assumptions in the original reply to Andy. Maybe someone could begin it elsewhere on the board.

Neil

Only 8 sold at Stockport Plaza?  I hope sales pick up.  I'll be buying mine soon.

This tour is an interesting management decision. If i am right in thinking then Ashley stopped the Albions as they no longer had an audience or he couldn't find suitable venues. I won't go over old ground but he present band are a new band (possibly a very god,exciting new band) and need to build up a following through initially smaller gigs. INHO I am seeing v good bands for between £5 and £10.
Sorry i realise I have just written the blindingly obvious.

Totally agree, as said before I was shocked when I tried to book them and was told the Musician (cap 220) was too small. I think they may well regret the choice to play larger venues and charge too much.

As I said weeks ago, I was shocked when they announced a tour of venues, some of which Fairport can't even fill. If the ticket sales in Stockport and Worthing are anything to go by they could live to regret this act of hubris. Somebody is going to take a financial bath.

I am still planning to go along but have no fear of not being able to get a ticket on the door.

Friday nights gig scheduled for St Georges Hall in Bradford as been moved to the Studio a smaller 200 seat venue next to the city's Alhambra theatre !!!

Alan

ah! a hefty dose of realism must have been applied

New CD arrived this morning, hopefully will have time to listen to it before going to the Gren Bartley gig.

Am I right in thinking it's Gavin Davenport who sings Thieves Song on the EP but Blair Dunlop on lead vocals on the CD - or am I confusing myself?

Just listened to both versions - well spotted!

Prefer the ep version I think but they're both stormin'...

I probably prefer the EP version by a small degree too, but am happy to have both.  Also happy I didn't imagine the change of singer.  :)

From the Albions' Facebook page!!

"On our way up to Durham, stopped for fuel at Morris On...er, Morrisons."  ;D ;D

So for anyone who has been to the gigs-are they doing anything other than new material? Obviously there is such a vast repertoire of music created under the Albion name, be it Albion Country, Albion Dance, or just The Albion Band, as well as different instrumentation on all of it that would make for interesting live material if they are so inclined.

I am liking their Facebook posts of old Albion lineups...my favorite has to be Blair's response to a Shuffle Off era pic of Ashley, saying it scarred him  ;D!

Interesting point from the Albions themselves in response to someone saying they flinched at ticket prices on this tour: "We flinched too, but sadly we aren't in control of the prices. All we can do is put on a good show."

Tunbridge Wells last night....totally brilliant show. Extremely pollished and professional performances (imho)...don't know what I was expecting really, but it surpassed all previous thoughts. Bit of a shame about the sparse audience numbers, but none the less, they were very noisily appreciative at the right times.  Delightful and entertaining show......looking forward to June 10th at Hever Castle :)

Hello people,
If you would be so kind to indulge an ex-Albion member and i will do a mini review of the Wellingborough gig.

There was a reasonable size crowd for the band. And having been blown away by them at Cheltenham, i was very keen to see them with a few more gigs under their belt.

They kick off the show with an acapella version of 15 minutes (who are your heroes now). immediately shows the very capable vocal ability of the band.
Someone was asking about what albion back catalogue was included, well how about Tams' One more Day, Ragged Heroes from Rise Up, Time to Ring some changes, Set their mouths a twisting, interspersed with some very fine tune sets where Tim comes off bass to play melodeon.
They also have some pretty amazing selfpenned material such as Thieves Song, Coalville amongst others. And a version of Babylon that is just stunning.

I came away thinking that not only have they answered their critics and doubters, they have totally surpassed all expectations.
It is a crying shame that festival organisers around the country didn't show some faith and get them booked for this summer.

Still gives us something to look forward to next summer doesn't it

regards
Simon

Thanks Simon, we're looking forward to the Croydon gig :)

When I saw the  Albion Band at Harpenden I thought they were OK but nothing more. I didn't buy the CD.
What surprised me was the very small audience. In the 3 rows around me there were 3 people. The average age of the audience was over 60 (so I was quite at home) and I saw only 2 people who looked under 50. Which left me wondering is folk rock an interest mainly limited to OAPs (I could understand that for Fairport where many of the audience have grown up/old with the band but this was a group of 20+). I wondered if ticket price was an issue (they cost me about the same as to see Fairport) which may have deterred some of the younger potential audience.
If the Harpenden turn out was typical I think they will struggle to keep 6 musicians and sound man etc on tour.

Quite. Might've been better to do a few festivals first, then tour, but as you say, bands can't play anywhere unless someone books 'em.

Really hoping I can get to the Kings Lynn gig.

Sadly I can't now.  Hope you get there and have a great time, Ollie.

Although the amount of 'faith' required really depends on what they were asking in terms of payment weighed up against what they thought they could deliver in terms of attendance in return doesn't it? Not being privy to that sort of information, I couldn't really say, but there seem to be a few references to high prices and low audience numbers in this thread so far, so maybe that had something to do with it?  

..........better to have tripped than never dance at all :)

I am now in posession of the album. I'm still not mad about Gavin's voice but it does rock and passes three quarters of an hour or so most agreeably. Highlights for me are the kick ass cover of Set Their Mouths To Twisting and Kat's terrific Coalville.

Stockport gig on 27th of this month has been cancelled :(

No reasons given by the venue.

I heard that tickets weren't selling very well.  Feel guilty now as I hadn't got round to buying one, but I don't think it would have made much difference, it's a big place to fill.

Simon Care's review of the Wellingborough gig was spot on - the band were fantastic. It was so good to hear a folk band that really rocks.

To be honest it surpassed my expectations - it was great to hear someone let rip on lead guitar in a band that still has room for some great fiddle and melodian playing.

How many folk bands are there with three guitar players - and most of the time two are playing electric?

I still love to see Fairport, and enjoyed seeing them on the Wintour, but I couldn't help thinking that The Albion Band were a bit more exciting.

A great gig and a great band.

The cancelling of gigs/ small audiences makes me very sad.
I think the 'reborn' Albion Band  are a good folk rock band who could be very good and should be supported.
I obviously have huge respect for Ashley but if he has been involved in the management of this tour, I think basic mistakes have been made.
a) they should have been the' new Albion Band', or even the reborn Albion Band as their website now says, (people would know what they are getting and it may have attracted a 'new' audience.)
b) small gigs,fests,uni gigs to build a following. (Uni gigs may have got them a younger audience. The present,small, audience seems to be the old bands audience.)
c) ticket prices in line with their present profile.
I want to see them. I had hoped it would be Cropredy. Judging by their present choice of venues it's v unlikely they would consider Cropredy fringe but it would be a start at building their profile......if ahab and interestingly,  Rainbow Chasers can do it.........
I am going to see Lucy Ward tonight. A classic example of someone representing themselves, doing small gigs, small fests, bigger fests, support spots, support spots to bigger names, radio plays, interviews,good reviews and now a headline tour,(still in smallish venues)She's on at the Musician tonight, 220 max, a venue Albions considered too small for this tour. It would have been a great venue for them but i'm not convinced they would have sold it out.
 I know it may be different for a solo performer and I am not being wise after the event but this is a model followed by a lot of folk bands from Show of Hands to 3 Daft Monkeys.  Nothing beats a slow build based on hard graft. I am aware it is far more expenive to keep a band on the road but Brother and Bones, who are on at Cropredy, Travelling Band who were, are doing just this and building an audience.

I wish the Albions the best of luck and I hope their loss, their record companies loss, isn't too large by the end of the tour.

Any other gig reports? There are very favourable comments on their Facebook page :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I51LIiJlRuo

The 2012 Albions are about 1min 20secs in and they are very good indeed - pity the sound is not in sync with the picture.

Ooh, they ARE good, aren't they?  Really enjoyed that, thanks for posting!

Just got home from seeing the Albion Band at the Ashcroft Theatre in Croydon - their performance was nothing short of fabulous, and for the doubters - more than worthy of the name.

Another recent live video - Quarter Hour Of Fame / Roll Over Vaughan Williams:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_Jf_jgRfnM

More to come, apparently.

Material sounded good, but the band could do with an image change: the home counties grunge style makes them look like a young mid western covers bar band

I disagree, they are perfectly alright as they are - if its all the same to you :)

Their final gig in Croydon was superb, very tight, good arrangements with a very professional sound. Added to that, they are all such nice people and all of them took the trouble to be at the merchandise stall either during the interval or after the gig.
And they invited folks to take photos!!

Stephen, are you in some way involved with the band, publicity or other wise? You do seem to have taken it upon yourself to be their proponent here.

On the other hand, if you just love them to bits, that's ok, too. You should hear me witter on about the Decemberists.

But if you are, you could say so, just for clarity.

That's about the size of it Andy - you should hear me winge on about a band that I don't like!!  

Must try the Decemberists now that you mention them.

http://www.songsfromtheshed.com/

This is an Albion band accoustic session - in the shed!

And it features a highly entertaining version of "Photograph" by Def Leppard.  I do love The Shed and how it brings out the slightly bonkers in people on occasion...

I can't find it anywhere on the site, any chance of a direct link?

http://www.songsfromtheshed.com/The-Albion-Band-Session--192(2702075).htm

I love 'em! A LOT!!!!

Their recent newsletter informs us that Simon Care is now managing the band.

That sounds a very wise move.

Just gone on the website to buy tickets for the gig at Hever Castle on 10th June, my best mate's birthday, and it's cancelled.
Anyone know why?  :(

Absolutely

From FB:

From what I have seen there is an element of buck passing between Hever Castle and the promoter, and it's handling quite disgraceful. I feel sorry for the band who I'm sure were looking forward to this, as indeed were we.

Oh dear. Thanks anyway.

"Vice of the People" got a decent sized and very positive review in the issue of "Prog" with Storm Corrosion on the cover (must catch up with all the reading missed from holiday etc)..