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Product Description
CD Description
'Gaughan didn't have the trousers or the haircut but he had the anger and rage of punk rock and the edge of The Clash' Billy Bragg Three Black Feathers Records are proud to present the definitive collectors' edition of Handful Of Earth by Dick Gaughan, one of the best-loved and most influential albums to emerge from the British folk scene. Originally released in 1981 at the height of Thatcherism and in the midst of economic turmoil, it articulated a barely-concealed ideological fury that has rarely been matched for its passion - yet by turns it also provided a tender meditation on the natural world. This remarkable double act went on to be named Folk Album of the Decade by fRoots magazine. The album has been remastered from the original analogue masters by Sean Magee at Abbey Road, and pressed on high-quality 200 gram vinyl for the ultimate in audiophile quality. It contains a candid and entertaining new interview with Gaughan about the making of the album in which he dismisses it as 'nothing special'. The release includes an extensive critical appraisal by Colin Irwin, Mojo magazine's folk correspondent and one of the UK's leading authorities on the genre. There are fresh portraits of Gaughan, as well as archive photo outtakes from the Handful Of Earth sessions. The album has been pressed in a strictly limited edition run of 1,000 copies.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is one of my favourite albums of all time. Given that I don't usually like slow ballads it's surprising that 'Now Westlin' Winds' is probably my favourite track on here. If you like stirring folk music with superb guitar playing and passionate lyrics this is a good album to buy.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Neil
Format:Audio CD
I got this album back in 1982, when it first came out. It sounds as good, fresh and timeless now as it did then. Every track is excellent. My favourite changes from time to time, but the one that has consistently tugged at my heartstrings is Craigie Hill. Please, for the good of your soul, give it a try. You won't regret it.
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I am a total jazzer, and even though I'm from Scotland I'm a bit wary of the "kilts n' shortbread" that can be associated with Scots/Irish folk music. I got this as it was presonnally recommended to me by someone who simply said he was good and I should listen to it, so I kind of shrugged and coughed up and when the CD arrived had some preconceptions about how I would react to it...
Make no mistake, this album is nothing more than an artist at the height of his powers. His guitar playing and vocals are just incredible.
It communicated such a powerful and beautiful musical message that this album, within a few days of hearing it, went straight into my top ten of all time (and I think I have only one other "folk" album in my collection).
It's a reminder that the old adage "there's two kinds of music... good and bad" holds true. This is essential listening, whether you think you like folk music or not.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I've had a crackly second-hand recording of this album since my teens, but I can't bear the idea of losing it - I need it on CD as well! Dick Gaughan's vocals are emotive, at times tender and at other times harsh. The album mixes songs with a strong political conscience with paens to home, wherever that may be. My favourite songs are 'The Snows they melt the soonest' and 'Both sides of the Tweed'. To add some objectivity, I have a friend who says that Dick's voice is like 'a pig in distress', she's wrong of course.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By waigie
Format:Audio CD
There's no need to be a folk fan to enjoy this, the strongest collection of songs you'll find anywhere. Wonderfully skilled guitar playing, simple arrangements and a powerful, emotion-charged vocal make this album indispensable for any music fan. If you're Scottish, you'll enjoy it all the more.
It's worth the gamble if you haven't heard Mr Gaughan before. Buy and be entranced.
It's worth the gamble if you haven't heard Mr Gaughan before. Buy and be entranced.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Staggering in its simplicity, breathtaking in its beauty, this is quite simply one of the best collections of folk songs ever recorded. Gaughan's version of Burns' 'Song Composed in August', called here 'Now Westlin Winds' brings the Scots' master's lines to life in an unforgettable way: I challenge anyone to listen to this, and to the last lines 'Not vernal show'rs to budding flow'rs / Not Autumn to the farmer / so dear can be, as thou to me, My fair, my lovely charmer!' without being moved to tears.
There's rousing stuff, too, with a fine version of 'World Turned Upside Down' ('In 1649, to St George's Hill...'). Every kind will find their pleasure here, as Burns put it, the savage and the tender.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Andrew Bond
Format:Audio CD
I was moved to review this when I noticed the average score was only 4*, which is a travesty! This album has been among my favourites for many years, and every track is a beauty, though standouts are 'Both Sides the Tweed' and 'Song for Ireland', and I often find myself humming 'Erin-go-Bragh'. Go buy it!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By H. Wilson
Format:Audio CD
This is a brilliant CD. It is folk music at it's best. Though it was recorded in the 80's, the music and words are timeless and Dick Gaughan's voice is superb, even divine. One to have in any decent music collection for sure.
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4.9 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Buyer beware
Please note that the product description given does NOT match the item being sold here. What you are buying is in fact the 180g vinyl version issued by Dutch company 6 Spices, not... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Jim B
5.0 out of 5 stars
Catch that Daft Rascal, He's Kill't the Police
This was an album I listened to in the eighties as a battered and illegal tape copy. The tape has long since stretched to oblivion but the songs have stayed with me as has Dick... Read more
Published on 19 Oct 2010 by Brian Hill
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gift for brother
Bought as a present for my brother-in-law after visiting Liverpool to see Dick Gaughan live!
He was very impressed and loved it so much, as he had listened to it in his car... Read more
He was very impressed and loved it so much, as he had listened to it in his car... Read more
Published on 30 July 2010 by G. Atkinson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Up the workers!
The world needs angry bitter beautiful passionate Marxist Scottish folk music now more than ever. Check out the Workers Song and The World Turned Upside down for a history lesson... Read more
Published on 30 Aug 2009 by Anton Mc Grath
4.0 out of 5 stars
The best album by one of the best
You can justify this album just for the last track alone. Both Sides the Tweed is the most effective answer to nationalism that I've ever heard. Read more
Published on 2 Mar 2009 by Llanelli Exile
5.0 out of 5 stars
I'm not Scottish but so what?
It's about time this brilliant collection was up there in the best albums of all time lists. Utterly universal music, politically charged, each song a gem and the most brilliant... Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2008 by Dr. Tim J. Edensor
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