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Product details
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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Roots | |||
| 2. Are We Alright | |||
| 3. Exile | |||
| 4. Country Life | |||
| 5. Widecombe Fair | |||
| 6. The Falmouth Packet / Haul Away Joe | |||
| 7. Santiago | |||
| 8. Armadas | |||
| 9. The Blue Cockade | |||
| 10. Crow on the Cradle | |||
See all 16 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. Columbus (Didn’t Find America) | |||
| 2. You’re Mine | |||
| 3. The Blind Fiddler | |||
| 4. The Setting / Mary From Dungloe | |||
| 5. The Bristol Slaver | |||
| 6. Port Isaac | |||
| 7. The Train / Blackwaterside | |||
| 8. Be Lucky | |||
| 9. Longdog | |||
| 10. The Keeper | |||
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See all 14 tracks on this disc
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Product Description
Songlines magazine, March 2008 (#50)
This is a great `Best Of'. The first CD is packed with some of the Devon folk duo's most distinctive tracks from their 15-year partnership, shot through with the fiery liberal patriotism of Knightley's lyrics about the rural West Country (`Roots' and `Country Life'). The second disc consists of 14 tracks selected by fans from the `Longdogs' internet forum, a nice idea that throws up some real gems. What's more, this collection is interspersed with live recordings that lift the energy above the predictability of many `Best Of' albums.
Phil Beer's fiddle playing is sensational, particularly on `The Falmouth Packet/Haul Away Joe', where his furious strings conjure up the boats bobbing in Falmouth harbour. While there are a couple of more abstract love songs (`Are We Alright?' and `You're Mine') that feel weaker than the rest, in the main Knightley's storytelling is full of depth and character. It is a cold heart that is not stirred by the hard tales of `Widecombe Fair', `The Keeper' and `The Bristol Slaver', or the Spanish warmth of `Santiago' and `Armadas', or the Cornish pride in `Cousin Jack'. The take on Sydney Carter's `Crow on the Cradle' is haunting, and when double bass player Miranda Sykes joins Knightley on vocals for `The Blue Cockade' there is a new dimension to the band's sound. It is in these little details that Show of Hands comes to life. The setting of Charles Causley's poem to music in `Innocents' Song' will stay with you long after the music stops.
Nathaniel Handy
Phil Beer's fiddle playing is sensational, particularly on `The Falmouth Packet/Haul Away Joe', where his furious strings conjure up the boats bobbing in Falmouth harbour. While there are a couple of more abstract love songs (`Are We Alright?' and `You're Mine') that feel weaker than the rest, in the main Knightley's storytelling is full of depth and character. It is a cold heart that is not stirred by the hard tales of `Widecombe Fair', `The Keeper' and `The Bristol Slaver', or the Spanish warmth of `Santiago' and `Armadas', or the Cornish pride in `Cousin Jack'. The take on Sydney Carter's `Crow on the Cradle' is haunting, and when double bass player Miranda Sykes joins Knightley on vocals for `The Blue Cockade' there is a new dimension to the band's sound. It is in these little details that Show of Hands comes to life. The setting of Charles Causley's poem to music in `Innocents' Song' will stay with you long after the music stops.
Nathaniel Handy
CD Description
Since 1991 when Show Of Hands became a full time duo, they have released six studio albums, four live recordings, three CDs of covers, traditional songs and instrumentals respectively, and an album of songs from the earliest cassette only recordings. For CD one of this compilation, the band have chosen their favourite tracks from each of the studio albums, plus live versions of three songs, "The Blue Cockade", "Cousin Jack" and "The Galway Farmer" that were felt to put earlier recorded versions in the shade. Four songs that have become concert standards, but hitherto existed only as live or low-key studio tracks, have been re-recorded: "Crow On The Cradle", "Santiago", "Are We Alright" and "Exile". Ten years ago a group of SOH fans created an Internet based forum and called themselves ‘Longdogs’. They were asked to pick one track from each album and CD two is their choice. All 30 songs have been re-mastered. “It’s been said that one of us builds the house whilst the other decorates it. This album has given us an opportunity to stand back for once and look through the window at all our labours. For that we thank all our friends and supporters.” - Steve Knightley CD1 (Short Stories): Roots / Are We Alright / Exile / Country Life / Widecombe Fair / The Falmouth Packet; Haul Away Joe / Santiago / Armadas / The Blue Cockade / Crow On The Cradle / The Preacher / Cousin Jack / Cold Frontier / Hard Shoulder / Captains / The Galway Farmer CD2 (Longdogs): Columbus (Didn’t Find America) / You’re Mine / The Blind Fiddler / The Setting; Mary From Dungloe / The Bristol Slaver / Port Isaac / The Train; Blackwaterside / Be Lucky / Longdog / The Keeper / The Downeaster ‘Alexa’ / The Oak / Innocents’ Song; Gwithian / Tall Ships.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
At first I wasn't going to buy this CD purely because I own at least one version of all the tracks on the CD already. However one of my friends recently bought it and told me about a few new version of tracks on it, so I thought I'd go out and get it.
I am so glad I did, this really is more than just a 'best of', and in fact I'd say it's a bit of an insult to call it that. This album catches the spirit of Show of Hands perfectly, taking the reader on a journey through all of their work, from the acoustic roots tracks such as 'Tall Ships', right through to more contemporary tracks like the recent single 'Roots'.
There really is something for everyone on here. It includes their best studio tracks, along with live tracks that out-do the studio tracks, and new versions of older classics such as 'Exile', 'Crow on the Cradle' and 'Are We Alright'. The CDs are beautifully put together, and leave the listener rivoted from start to finish.
There really are no faults with this CD at all. Perfect for the die hard SoH fan, and perfect for someone just getting into them. What a wonderful piece of work, giving true credit to the work Steve, Phil and Miranda have put in over the years (not to mention everyone else involved in the record - including Seth Lakeman and Fishermen Friends). Thank you and best wishes to Jack.
I am so glad I did, this really is more than just a 'best of', and in fact I'd say it's a bit of an insult to call it that. This album catches the spirit of Show of Hands perfectly, taking the reader on a journey through all of their work, from the acoustic roots tracks such as 'Tall Ships', right through to more contemporary tracks like the recent single 'Roots'.
There really is something for everyone on here. It includes their best studio tracks, along with live tracks that out-do the studio tracks, and new versions of older classics such as 'Exile', 'Crow on the Cradle' and 'Are We Alright'. The CDs are beautifully put together, and leave the listener rivoted from start to finish.
There really are no faults with this CD at all. Perfect for the die hard SoH fan, and perfect for someone just getting into them. What a wonderful piece of work, giving true credit to the work Steve, Phil and Miranda have put in over the years (not to mention everyone else involved in the record - including Seth Lakeman and Fishermen Friends). Thank you and best wishes to Jack.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have to agree with the other two reviewers and say that this is more than just a hurriedly put together selection from a back catalogue. As always, Steve & Phil have put a huge amount of time and effort into delivering this double CD. The artwork is, as usual, stunning and just makes the album a lovely thing to own and there are some fabulous re-workings of their best known stuff.
This album works whether, like me, you're already a die-hard fan or whether you like folk/acoustic/English music and are looking for something beautifully cratfed and artfully produced. Buy it... now.
This album works whether, like me, you're already a die-hard fan or whether you like folk/acoustic/English music and are looking for something beautifully cratfed and artfully produced. Buy it... now.
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Rarely can there have been a "greatest hits" compilation which so accurately reflects both the talent of those performing as well as the affection the bands many fans have if their favourite artists. This album manages to do both and do it excellently.
If you haven't bought a Show of Hands CD before buy this one, or in fact buy more and share the magical experioence with your friends.
These songs make you make you think and make you want to dance what more can any music do.
"Are we alright?" you bet you are and more besides.
Thanks Show of Hands
If you haven't bought a Show of Hands CD before buy this one, or in fact buy more and share the magical experioence with your friends.
These songs make you make you think and make you want to dance what more can any music do.
"Are we alright?" you bet you are and more besides.
Thanks Show of Hands
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Roots The Best of Show of Hands
Really excellent and entertaining folk group. New to us, had a really enjoyable evening, great entertainment. Easy looking online for a CD with Amazon.
Published 5 months ago by S. J. Holmes
Great Collection.
Having seen the band for the first time at Chagstock 2011, I felt compelled to explore their music further. This album is Great. Read more
Published 7 months ago by N. Farrant
Excellent album
I'm ashamed to admit that a year ago, I'd never heard of this band, but now (two live shows later) I'm a big fan. Read more
Published 8 months ago by High Speed
Not that it needs any more recommendation...
This double CD is a truly great introduction to Show of hands and indeed to the folk genre as a whole. Grows on you over time, too ! Read more
Published 9 months ago by David
THIS IS FABULOUS!
i have to confess that i had never heard of this band until a couple of weeks ago, as i heard them on the radio 2 day. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Catriona Liddle
Rating from a Rock lunchtime legend
Like most compilations, there are some tracks that I just find boring, but these are more than made up for by the others such as Roots, Country Life, Cousin Jack etc which are... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Dinosaur
Roots the Best of show of Hands
What a superb cd! having seen Phil steve & Miranda live this album is a good cross section of there material , Steve live, and in studio has the most superb voice! Read more
Published 13 months ago by GJ Larkin
Great Music
Show of hands have to be the best there is in this field of music. Buy this CD and you will not be disappointed. Read more
Published 15 months ago by A C
Not received. Now received and it is excellent anthology
It is the 4th January and the item has not appeared yet, perhaps today. It was ordered on the 3rd Dec.The Christmas post obviously affected the delivery. 100% satisfied now.
Published 17 months ago by J. Rowland
The best of Show of Hands is really good.
I had heard of show of Hands for quite some time but have never seen them and never bought one of their Cds. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mr. S. A. Polanyk
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