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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. New York Girls | |||
| 2. A-Begging I will Go | |||
| 3. Cross-Eyed And Chinless | |||
| 4. Broomfield Hill | |||
| 5. The Hand Weaver And The Factory Maid | |||
| 6. Captain Wedderburn | |||
| 7. Amsterdam | |||
| 8. Cold Blows The Wind | |||
| 9. Parson's Farewell | |||
| 10. Little Sally Racket | |||
See all 11 tracks on this disc
| |||
| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. (DVD) "The Making Of Hedonism" featuring interviews with producer John Leckie and members of Bellowhead and the iconography of Abbey Road Studios | |||
Product Description
Product Description
Deluxe Limited Edition includes 32 page booklet and bonus “Making of” documentary DVD featuring interviews with producer John Leckie and the band.
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
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By R. M. Nash
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.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By MikeB
Format:Audio CD
Without question, a complete belter of an album. If you have seen them live then it's _that_ good. If you haven't seen them live yet then this will encourage you to do so at the first possible opportunity (Now would be good as they are on tour October / November in the UK). Musically accomplished and polished with just the right amount of tongue in cheek humour. Spectacularly recorded by John Leckie (Stone Roses, Muse, Radiohead, XTC etc.. etc) in Studio 2 of Abbey Road. The packaging is beautiful and the 'making of' DVD in this 'extended' edition is a charming 70 minute addition. Have no qualms, just buy it. Prepare your apologies for the neigbours. Set the volume to 11 and dance your socks off. You know they did when they recorded it... ;-)
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download
After the disappointing 'Matachin', most of whose songs I didn't like live either, Bellowhead go straight back into overdrive with 'Hedonism'. Nearly every track is a winner - 'Sally Ratchet' being a bit below par for a studio album, but a great live song - and the album has the all the best Bellowhead multi-instrument and varied musical styles trademarks. In fact, it is closer to a live gig than a studio album (perhaps that's why 'Sally Ratchet' is included), and if you want a true taste of what the band is about then this album far outstrips the others. Yes, 'EPOnymous' and 'Burlesque' are very good and worth getting, but 'Hedonism' takes the biscuit. This album shows just how far they have progressed. Let's hope that the next is just as good - in the meantime there'll be some cracking live gigs to go to. Pure enjoyment!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant Bellowhead
As expected brilliant musicianship, interesting arrangements, looking forward to see where they go in the future with the band. cheers
Published 4 months ago by Chris
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fun album
Bought this album as a bit of a tester to try out buying stuff for the first time on a Kindle. I've liked Bellowhead live for a long time but never had any of their albums. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Lesley
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great car tunes
Wasn't sure about this CD when I heard about it but once you have driven with it on for a while it grows on you.
Published 14 months ago by MarkO
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great mix of weird and wonderful
I've seen this band live a couple of times and they've been absolutely amazing. Folk dance with funky brass arrangements and a bazouki with wah-wah pedal! Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mark Barton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous!!
Absolutely fantastic album, my 7 year old son and I play this all the time! Brilliant arrangements and fantastic musicianship and vocals, I can't praise this highly enough. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mrs. A. L. Parker
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bellowhead - great listening
I had hoped that as this was my first walk into this new Folk it would be a good one. I need not have worried - this is a great album that definately means I will be looking for... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Raustin
1.0 out of 5 stars
hated it!
I bought this for my husband, thinking it was traditional folk music, which he loves. i obviously should have done my research! Read more
Published 23 months ago by Mrs. P. Ashburn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Bellowhead
Only came across Bellowhead just before Xmas when they were on t.v. from Shoreditch Town Hall. What a band!!! Great musicians with bags of energy and loads of humour. Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2011 by watty
5.0 out of 5 stars
Damn! Now the cat's out of the bag!
For the last few years Bellowhead have been the most fantastic live act which the majority of people won't even have heard of, but with 'Hedonism' that is clearly already changing. Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2011 by Sarah Roberts
5.0 out of 5 stars
bellowhead
There is something special about Bellowhead. And there is something special about this album too. It is modern folk music. And it is a really good fun album. Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2011 by Miss M. Potter
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