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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk review
Seth Lakeman's fourth solo album, Poor Man’s Heaven, moves him ever closer to the mainstream, his frantic fiddle playing backed with a small, tight band fully aware of the power they generate. But the Dartmoor-based folk singer still digs into local folklore for material. The pounding opener "The Hurlers" refers to an ancient stone formation in Cornwall, while "Solomon Browne" commemorates the more recent loss with all hands of the Penlee lifeboat - Lakeman knew some of the bereaved as a schoolboy. Clearly a larger recording budget--his breakthrough record, 2004’s Mercury nominated Kitty Jay, was recorded in his kitchen for three hundred quid--hasn’t mollified his Saturnine tendencies. Having emerged from the purist folk scene, rather than the more chilled folktronica side, Lakeman must now be wondering how far he can go. The jaunty "Race To Be King" features maybe the loudest Jew’s harp ever recorded, while Kathryn Roberts' haunting backing vocals on "Cherry Red Girl" add depth (though he might be overdoing it on the old red though, included songs called "Crimson Dawn" and "Blood Red Sky"). The title track though is the giveaway, a blatant and undeniably effective reminder that Led Zeppelin defined the heavy folk-rock crossover decades ago. Lakeman yelps like a West Country Robert Plant, sounding like a man with stadia in his sights.--Steve Jelbert
Product Description
Rock-inspired 2008 album from English folk-singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 47 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you're already the proud owner of Seth's previous albums then the best way I can describe this is as like Kitty Jay and Lady of the Sea - its fast, loud and foot stomping. There's a couple of slow songs but the pace doesn't stop.
If you're new to Seth then hello. Maybe you like folk music with a bit of a kick or if you're a fan of people like Clannad or The Levellers then this is certainly up your street. The inspiration for the album is the Cornish coast including the Penlee lifeboat tragedy, shipwrecks, old Cornish legends about standing stones and a race to catch whales. All of this may sound a little odd but its the way its delivered - with a striking drum and a frantic fiddle.
I can't praise this album enough - it was played full blast several times on a 4 hour drive if thats a good recommendation! If you get the chance to see any of these songs performed live then you're in for a treat.
If you're new to Seth then hello. Maybe you like folk music with a bit of a kick or if you're a fan of people like Clannad or The Levellers then this is certainly up your street. The inspiration for the album is the Cornish coast including the Penlee lifeboat tragedy, shipwrecks, old Cornish legends about standing stones and a race to catch whales. All of this may sound a little odd but its the way its delivered - with a striking drum and a frantic fiddle.
I can't praise this album enough - it was played full blast several times on a 4 hour drive if thats a good recommendation! If you get the chance to see any of these songs performed live then you're in for a treat.
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Ok ok, so I like folk music - there I said it. Nic Jones, Martin Simpson and now Seth Lakeman, it would appear that someone, somewhere is slowly indoctrinating me (Radio 2's Stuart Maconie I suspect). I wouldn't, however, declare myself a full-blown folkie; I do enjoy the more mainstream stuff and would never join the sandal wearing, beard touting, real-ale swigging, finger-in-the ear brigade.
Right, this album is absolutely fantastic. Having bought it ten days ago I have had it playing throughout the house, in the car and even at work at every opportunity. The tunes, whilst telling tales of traditional folk themes (why are there so many folk songs about whales?), are very well crafted and excellently delivered. They are even better played live; I saw him play in Frome last week and he had the whole place buzzing - there was even a trad folkie (early 60s, bald, beard, CAMRA member etc) head-banging to one of his songs! Try to get to one of Seth's gigs; you will not be disappointed.
If you are folk-curious and want to see what it is all about, buy this album. You will be pleasantly surprised and will have the tunes banging around your head for days. Come out of the closet and join the rest of us neo-folkies; you know you want to!
Right, this album is absolutely fantastic. Having bought it ten days ago I have had it playing throughout the house, in the car and even at work at every opportunity. The tunes, whilst telling tales of traditional folk themes (why are there so many folk songs about whales?), are very well crafted and excellently delivered. They are even better played live; I saw him play in Frome last week and he had the whole place buzzing - there was even a trad folkie (early 60s, bald, beard, CAMRA member etc) head-banging to one of his songs! Try to get to one of Seth's gigs; you will not be disappointed.
If you are folk-curious and want to see what it is all about, buy this album. You will be pleasantly surprised and will have the tunes banging around your head for days. Come out of the closet and join the rest of us neo-folkies; you know you want to!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The opening track has a calling drum beat, wakes you, eyes wide you are ready to listen.
Awaken this track "The Hurlers" continues in the folk tradition of presenting expressions of influential events or memories that exists or have existed albeit with a progressive folk musicality. Poor Man's Heaven has eleven tracks themed around the coast, a number of them from this foot of England close to home for me. The Hurlers/hurling was something I was taught about at school and those service people who give the lives for the protection of others is a poignant remembrance in Solmon Browne.
The Cornish Seascape is dark and edgy and holds many secrets and tragedies. The musicality of this offering depicts that scene. It's gutsy, melodic and stomps and races in many places and yet still has the trad edge. Seth's vocal instrument has grown in depth over the four solo albums and it adds a great blend to the music and with the vocal arrangements bring such life and depth to each track. In places I am reminded of subtleties from Hazy Days, Equations first cd release, and when I am listening to it it also reminds me of the excitement of a Kate Bush album, listening to it for the first time, which is full of intrigue and character. Throughout the tracks you can hear brother Sean on guitar, who blew me away when I saw Equation in Plymouth `98 with his versatility in playing guitars. You can also pick up Kathryn Roberts and Steve Knightley on backing vocals. They all help to make this CD, well, just an interesting, exciting and stomping one to listen to. If you enjoy this CD try and find " Three piece Suite" and then work through the Equation's CD before Seth's previous ones. They have given me 12 years of enjoyment.
Blood Red Sky for me starts and builds as it grows subtly at first and then you are drawn in to the great rhythm and brilliant lyrics. I listen to this on the way home and bounce along the edge of Bodmin Moor, thankfully no priests looking for Hurler's! Greed and Gold is dark and edgy almost bluesy just listen to Seth's vocals. This will be my favourite, just love the crying strings. Seriously for me this album can stand among his other projects. For those of you who like traditional sound you can easily pick out the notes. For those who like depth and boldness this is alike a mature vintage wine full of character and punch. But less of the vintage as we wait for what theme Seth will undertake next!
Awaken this track "The Hurlers" continues in the folk tradition of presenting expressions of influential events or memories that exists or have existed albeit with a progressive folk musicality. Poor Man's Heaven has eleven tracks themed around the coast, a number of them from this foot of England close to home for me. The Hurlers/hurling was something I was taught about at school and those service people who give the lives for the protection of others is a poignant remembrance in Solmon Browne.
The Cornish Seascape is dark and edgy and holds many secrets and tragedies. The musicality of this offering depicts that scene. It's gutsy, melodic and stomps and races in many places and yet still has the trad edge. Seth's vocal instrument has grown in depth over the four solo albums and it adds a great blend to the music and with the vocal arrangements bring such life and depth to each track. In places I am reminded of subtleties from Hazy Days, Equations first cd release, and when I am listening to it it also reminds me of the excitement of a Kate Bush album, listening to it for the first time, which is full of intrigue and character. Throughout the tracks you can hear brother Sean on guitar, who blew me away when I saw Equation in Plymouth `98 with his versatility in playing guitars. You can also pick up Kathryn Roberts and Steve Knightley on backing vocals. They all help to make this CD, well, just an interesting, exciting and stomping one to listen to. If you enjoy this CD try and find " Three piece Suite" and then work through the Equation's CD before Seth's previous ones. They have given me 12 years of enjoyment.
Blood Red Sky for me starts and builds as it grows subtly at first and then you are drawn in to the great rhythm and brilliant lyrics. I listen to this on the way home and bounce along the edge of Bodmin Moor, thankfully no priests looking for Hurler's! Greed and Gold is dark and edgy almost bluesy just listen to Seth's vocals. This will be my favourite, just love the crying strings. Seriously for me this album can stand among his other projects. For those of you who like traditional sound you can easily pick out the notes. For those who like depth and boldness this is alike a mature vintage wine full of character and punch. But less of the vintage as we wait for what theme Seth will undertake next!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent Collection of Songs
If you are new to Seth Lakeman he's often been described as Indy Folk and I guess its not a bad description. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Hagrid's Umbrella
Seth Lakeman Superstar
Came across Seth Lakeman on Sky Arts. Was so impressed went straight on to Amazon and bought every one of his albums in one go. Read more
Published 11 months ago by V. Wilson
Seth Lakeman
Having never heard of Seth Lakeman or his music until recently I was very impressed with one of his albums Poor Man's Heaven. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Mr. Anthony J. Mabbley
great
First time I have bought a Seth lakeman CD really liked it and have played it over and over
Published on 4 May 2010 by ruth baskerville
A Gr8 album but a bit samey
Full of energy, buckets of atmosphere, pleanty of foot tappers - all in all another great album. I have just one suggestion to Seth tho, (rather than a criticism) and that's: the... Read more
Published on 20 Oct 2009 by Pagan Ronnie
could do better
Hmmm...given it four but Im in a positive frame of mind.
This is more upbeat that previous albums - no bad thing. Read more
This is more upbeat that previous albums - no bad thing. Read more
Published on 14 Oct 2009 by F. L. Price
Modern Folk
I first heard Seth Lakeman on a BBC3 documentary and found his style more modern than traditional "Folk" which appealed to me and thought the tale of Solomon Browne superb. Read more
Published on 17 July 2009 by Danger Mouse
I am now a convert!
This album has an instant draw that is very rarely apparent in modern music. When you have people over to your house, you put music on in the background and hope that people will... Read more
Published on 15 April 2009 by Robbie Swale
Seth Lakeman Poor Man's Heaven
Interesting listening and a distinctive sound, but a rather bizarre mix of trad folk themes from a distant pre-industrial world, strange and often sad stories told poetically in... Read more
Published on 21 Mar 2009 by Warpymole
More invention needed!
I loved Freedmom Fields and the live performances that accompanied it. Kitty Jay was also very good. Poor Man's Heaven starts off well enough but gets very 'samey'. Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2009 by S. Tonge
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