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Product Description
Product Description
One of the very finest British folk/roots albums of all time finally reappears on compact disc. "Alright Jack" has been acknowledged as a classic of the English folk-rock genre and Home Service as Britain's finest folk big band. This mighty ensemble unites a powerful rock-solid rhythm section, John Tams' remarkable and insightful lyrics, a brass section to make the walls of Jericho tremble, with the neglected music of Percy Grainger: a wild electric album. Sounds unlikely - then just listen. Recorded in 1986 "Alright Jack" features an illustrious crew: John Tams (vocals, guitar), Graeme Taylor (guitars), Steve King (keyboards, accordion), Jonathan Davie (bass), Michael Gregory (drums, percussion), Howard Evans (trumpets, flugelhorn), Andy Findon (saxophones, clarinet, flute), and Roger Williams (trombone, tuba). The album has now been carefully remastered to bring out all the remarkable sonic detail.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
There is something gloomy and towering about this album. It is not one to dip into - you really need to listen right through because it is put together with a deliberate structure, and dominated in the second half by an orchestral arrangement of folk tunes by the early 20th century composer Percy Grainger. The success with which Home Service re-arranged it for an electric folk rock band is a mark of their individual musical skills and teamwork. Alongside it you have some vintage John Tams originals, sung superbly as ever by their writer. The title track and "Sorrow" are overtly political rants, but surely "Scarecrow" remains one of his best songs and gives a real kick to the end to the album. This is a work to impress your friends with if they think they know what folk rock is about!
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I originally bought this album on vinyl back in the 80's because I loved the music that this group had provided for the National Theatre's production of 'The Mysteries'. This has been one of the records I've returned to time and time again over the last nearly twenty years - it combines a sense of integrity and honesty rarely found in the music biz with brilliant arrangements and many nifty melodies. John Tams' voice carries a strong emotional charge of sadness and loss, but also speaks of the dignity of the working man through the ages and that offers a sense of hope for the future. I always find listening through this record to be an uplifting experience.
Speaking as a professional musician myself, I usually find it hard to give someone else's music an unqualified recommendation. This album is an exception: It would certainly be among the top five albums I've heard in my life. If you have never heard it, I wholeheartedly urge you to give it a listen.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
I saw the Home Service do a concert shortly after the release of this album. It was one of the most exciting musical events I have ever been to.I found the extended arrangements of Percy Grainger's music rather at odds with the emotional power of the remainder. But the "Scarecrow" song - about the First World War, is beautiful and the range of the other music is deep and wide.
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