- Discover more great music in our Proper Music store, and read about the very best of Proper Music's latest and forthcoming releases in Properganda Issue 19 (online flash version).
Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
|
Product Description
Review
Anyone who thinks folk can’t rock has obviously never attended a Bellowhead concert. Although deeply steeped in the age-old history of the genre, what sets this unique group apart is the range of other influences they weave into their sound. Jazz, funk, English music hall, New Orleans marching bands – they’re all present in this 11-strong big band’s riotous, hugely entertaining performances, which invariably transform their audiences into a kind of medieval mosh pit.
Bellowhead’s first album, 2006’s Burlesque, was a breath of fresh air, capturing the dizzy exuberance of their live act with an inventive, instantly infectious set of reworked traditional folk songs completely different to anything else on the scene. 2008’s Matachin provided more of the same, although arguably without the novelty impact of its predecessor. With the release of Hedonism, the challenge for Jon Boden and company is keeping the core ingredients that work so well in place while making sure they don’t go stale.
By and large, the record succeeds in doing just that. Tracks like New York Girls and Broomfield Hill are quintessential Bellowhead romps, with soaring fiddle, frenzied percussion, some huge brass riffs and, in the latter’s case, the rarely heard English bagpipes. Yarmouth Town and instrumental Cross-Eyed and Chinless superbly showcase the sheer musical virtuosity of the ensemble, able to shift pace, mood and textures effortlessly in faultless display of playing that’s sometimes breathtakingly complex yet always totally cohesive.
What’s more, Hedonism isn’t afraid to try new things, albeit with mixed results. A brave attempt to cover Jacques Brel’s Amsterdam falls just short, with Boden’s rather reedy voice unable to provide the epic emotional heft of Scott Walker’s definitive recording. And Little Sally Racket is aptly named; a cacophony of Beefheart-like freeform madness with rock guitar, squalling horns and manic chanting, it’s a far cry indeed from the real ale and woollen sweater stereotype that still bedevils folk’s reputation.
With their delirious joie de vivre and compelling ability to radically reinterpret the tales of our past still very much intact, there’s little sign of the Bellowhead juggernaut running out of steam just yet.
--Chris WhiteFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Metro September 2010
Technically brilliant but anarchic in temperament, where Mumford & Son purvey watered down supermarket folk, Bellowhead are the real thing.
..Unfailing virtuosity..innate intelligence and wit. They've all played a blinder on this one.
Their best yet, by several spendidly raucous miles
..Unfailing virtuosity..innate intelligence and wit. They've all played a blinder on this one.
Their best yet, by several spendidly raucous miles
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is the third album from Bellowhead. For anyone who hasn't got their earlier albums this is a great album to start with, being more accesible than Matachin.
It has a really good balance of highly danceable instrumentals and songs you can't help singing along to in the car with some beautiful slower tracks. Jaque Brel's Amsterdam works really well as a Bellowhead track.
The production by the great John Leckie works really well, giving a crisp lively sound that is as close as they could get to the fun of their live performaces in the studio. The arrangements make the most of their wide range of instruments and the talents of all eleven members of the band. A special mention has to be made of Pete Flood's wonderful percussion which drives the music along and is always interesting and often unusual, but always effective.
For those who have got the earlier albums and EP, you will know what to expect, but it is not just more of the same or Burlesque vol 2. The band have continued to develop amd have put together a top class album with no weak tracks or fillers, but plenty of variety and most importantly lot's of fun. You can't help but wish you were at the recordings as not many albums put across such a strong sense of the fun of making music.
They year may not be over yet, but this must be a contender for album of the year.
It has a really good balance of highly danceable instrumentals and songs you can't help singing along to in the car with some beautiful slower tracks. Jaque Brel's Amsterdam works really well as a Bellowhead track.
The production by the great John Leckie works really well, giving a crisp lively sound that is as close as they could get to the fun of their live performaces in the studio. The arrangements make the most of their wide range of instruments and the talents of all eleven members of the band. A special mention has to be made of Pete Flood's wonderful percussion which drives the music along and is always interesting and often unusual, but always effective.
For those who have got the earlier albums and EP, you will know what to expect, but it is not just more of the same or Burlesque vol 2. The band have continued to develop amd have put together a top class album with no weak tracks or fillers, but plenty of variety and most importantly lot's of fun. You can't help but wish you were at the recordings as not many albums put across such a strong sense of the fun of making music.
They year may not be over yet, but this must be a contender for album of the year.
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having made two (and a half) albums previously, it was time for Bellowhead to attempt the "difficult third album". Their difficulty is compounded by the fact that they have a stunning live sound which has always been hard to replicate. The task of helping them went to John Leckie and he, and they, have succeeded in spades. From the opening track, a hugely infectious rendition of New York Girls - a story of a sailor who loses out to a lady of the night - through a number of songs and tune sets, including a deeply melancholic Amsterdam (Jacques Brel's tale of sailors on shore), right through to the crowd-pleasing Yarmouth Town, there is a sense of the disolute, the slightly seedy mixed with the pleasure of making music and loving life. It captures the joie de vivre of a live set. Take care if you're listening in the car; all that jumping up and down could be dangerous!
Keep it up guys!
Keep it up guys!
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Oh wow! From the outset I can feel the power of Bellowhead , more brass laden than previous albums giving a bit more umph! Which, as I have waxed on about before, is only really evident at live performances.
This summer has seen many an ear turned to the folky tunes of Mumford and Sons, yes its ok but positively lightweight compared to B'head, possibly the best folk act this side of everywhere ,(other than Lau that is!)
The album picks up and turns a corner slightly from where Matachin left off. It's still very trad with fun and pazzaz , but somehow brighter and more vibrant than previous albums. Matachin was at times a tad dour, nonetheless wonderful but arguably the most difficult of their three albums.
I actually thought that Matachin would be THE album to launch them into the stratosphere, I think it did but not as ballistically as I suspected, they have garnered a huge following since, partly due to Tv appearances and treading the boards up and down the country to euphoric audiences.
I have to confess when I heard Mr Leckie was producing this one I trembled a bit, fearing the folk would be lost amidst an array of technical wizzadry, no fear, its still B'head, its still great folk tales with fabulous, almost orchestral arrangements of the panoply of instruments at their command-witness the vocal arrangement on `Broomfield Hill', with gorgeous refrains of horn holding you back until the track takes off with Jons vocals at the forefront and gorgeous harmonies alongside, so far my favourite track on the album.
And by way of demonstrating their incredible versatility they throw in a jazz laden track-`The Hand Weaver.......', danceable, fun and chocked full of mood and tempo changes.
The album, recorded in two weeks at Abbey Rd, captures the power, delicacy, intricacy and warmth of B'head, which is no mean feat when you consider at times there are 11 musicians belting out their music. It was, and feels like, an album almost recorded live, the only element it doesn't really capture is the occasional anarchic feel of live performances (although the track 'Little Sally Racket'comes pretty close), but it is after all a record not a gig.
Drawbacks-well musically none, the songs are a blend of old reworked ancient folk tunes with a smattering of the new, but I have to say `Yarmouth Town' offers nothing new or varied, it's a little bit of a plod along song, even if well played it is one of the few songs on the album that doesn't have a fairly complex arrangement.
The stories of B'head fans breaking concert floor halls with their vigorous dancing are now reaching legendary status. Well from the outset track 1 -`New York Girls' is an absolute floor stomper-concert promoters beware!
A fabulous album which will attract more fans, if the sales of tickets for new tour is anything to go by they are gonna be a big band in more ways than one.
Just buy it ok!
This summer has seen many an ear turned to the folky tunes of Mumford and Sons, yes its ok but positively lightweight compared to B'head, possibly the best folk act this side of everywhere ,(other than Lau that is!)
The album picks up and turns a corner slightly from where Matachin left off. It's still very trad with fun and pazzaz , but somehow brighter and more vibrant than previous albums. Matachin was at times a tad dour, nonetheless wonderful but arguably the most difficult of their three albums.
I actually thought that Matachin would be THE album to launch them into the stratosphere, I think it did but not as ballistically as I suspected, they have garnered a huge following since, partly due to Tv appearances and treading the boards up and down the country to euphoric audiences.
I have to confess when I heard Mr Leckie was producing this one I trembled a bit, fearing the folk would be lost amidst an array of technical wizzadry, no fear, its still B'head, its still great folk tales with fabulous, almost orchestral arrangements of the panoply of instruments at their command-witness the vocal arrangement on `Broomfield Hill', with gorgeous refrains of horn holding you back until the track takes off with Jons vocals at the forefront and gorgeous harmonies alongside, so far my favourite track on the album.
And by way of demonstrating their incredible versatility they throw in a jazz laden track-`The Hand Weaver.......', danceable, fun and chocked full of mood and tempo changes.
The album, recorded in two weeks at Abbey Rd, captures the power, delicacy, intricacy and warmth of B'head, which is no mean feat when you consider at times there are 11 musicians belting out their music. It was, and feels like, an album almost recorded live, the only element it doesn't really capture is the occasional anarchic feel of live performances (although the track 'Little Sally Racket'comes pretty close), but it is after all a record not a gig.
Drawbacks-well musically none, the songs are a blend of old reworked ancient folk tunes with a smattering of the new, but I have to say `Yarmouth Town' offers nothing new or varied, it's a little bit of a plod along song, even if well played it is one of the few songs on the album that doesn't have a fairly complex arrangement.
The stories of B'head fans breaking concert floor halls with their vigorous dancing are now reaching legendary status. Well from the outset track 1 -`New York Girls' is an absolute floor stomper-concert promoters beware!
A fabulous album which will attract more fans, if the sales of tickets for new tour is anything to go by they are gonna be a big band in more ways than one.
Just buy it ok!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
gift for my mum!
Delivery isn't very quick, took about 11days to arrive but this was advised before I purchased. Product is exactly what its meant to be. Read more
Published 2 months ago by JuliaJade
folk
arrived on time in good order could not ask for more as well as great music will use again no problem
Published 3 months ago by lelsey
Hedonism
saw Bellowhead live and loved them, wanted to get an album and choose their latest. was not disappointed, wide variety of songs brings back memories of an excellent concert.
Published 3 months ago by Mr Ministox
Foot tapping and joyous.
Absolutely love the way this band infuse energy and an up to date twist that makes you feel that you are listening to new music rather than a traditional song. Read more
Published 4 months ago by M. A.
A Joy to Listen to.
This is the first Bellowhead album I've bought, having previously only seen them on the box. It certainly lived up to all my expectations; high energy mainly folk music played with... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr. M. Dennison
Bellowhead
I must admit to being a little bit disappointed in this album but will continue to play it.next album maybe.
Published 9 months ago by Mrs. B. Marshall
Amazing!!
What music! - what lyrics! extremely enjoyable, played daily at the moment much to the surprise of my 48 year old son who had recently seen them live. Will buy more.
Published 9 months ago by Sandy
Lively. Great musicians
Saw Bellowhead at Glastonbury in the sunshine! Lively music, great musicians. The songs are folk but the arrangements are exciting and complex - including elements of funk, trad... Read more
Published 10 months ago by jg
really good music
This CD is really amazing. The music is so so good. I thought they were the best thing at Glastonbury.
Published 10 months ago by Collie
Phew!
New band on me. Saw them live almost by chance, and thought they were absolutely brilliant. The most refreshingly new band I have seen for many years. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Gezza
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
