Songs From The Floodplain [CD]

The very best of new British folk, Jon has stepped away from Bellowhead to create a unified piece, a true concept album, to use his own words, that is one of the best things recorded in the last decade.

In interview Jon said that the basis of the album was the idea that when the oil runs low governments will be forced to stockpile what remains - and that means that cars will have to become redundant. He extrapolated this thought to wondering what impact this would have on ordinary folk - and the apparently depressing but ultimately uplifting 'songs from the floodplain' is the result.

If folk music means anything to you - other than a warning that someone may be about to perpetrate morris dancing - then get this album. There isn't a weak track on it - and how rare is that!

I'd heard of Jon Boden and Bellowhead before I bought this album, but I'd never actually heard anything by them. This album was purchased purely on the basis of an enthusiastic review from the UK's "Uncut" music magazine, so I'm particularly grateful to that reviewer, because this is an exceptional album. "Songs From The Floodplain" is a concept album, a cohesive collection of songs telling the story of many different characters and their efforts to survive and adapt to life after a disaster of global proportions, presumably after the worst fears of global warming are realised. The superb lyrics are delivered by Boden's clear and distinctive (and very traditionally "folky") voice, while the elegant melodies are backed by inventive and expressive instrumentation throughout. Even more impressive is that everything you hear on this album is played by Boden himself - which, given the content of "Songs From The Floodplain", demonstrates his immense talent as a multi-instrumentalist.

The songs throughout this album are of a high quality throughout and this piece of work is best heard as a whole rather than divided into individual songs, but for the purposes of this review, I will select a few of my personal favourites. The first track "We Do What We Can", complete with violin, concertina and beautifully picked guitar is excellent, showcasing Boden's clear, ringing voice perfectly and making use of the drums sparingly and effectively for exciting, punctuating rhythm. "Pilgrim's Way" is vividly descriptive, rare and solemn. The delicately beautiful "April Queen" is a touchingly heart-warming description of a man building a throne for his lover from sweet wrappers, plastic bags and debris, "like a magpie's nest" - the imagery is wonderful. "When The Walls Come Tumbling Down" would be a favourite for the guitar work alone, but it's amongst the very best compositions on this release as well, being a dark, powerful, majestic, stirring piece of atmospheric folk/rock. The gentle "Don't Wake Me Up 'Til Tomorrow" is another pick, mainly for the gorgeous melody and the impeccable vocal delivery. The final song, "Has Been Cavalry" is a glorious, sensationally melodic piece of music - in fact, all of the last half of the album is simply superb.

Even though I'd have to say that there is too much of a rock influence for this to be deemed purely a "folk" recording, I would offer the opinion that fans of traditional folk music would probably be the most likely to gain maximum enjoyment from this album. However, this impressive release has enough universal appeal to reach people who wouldn't normally go out of their way to buy this sort of music... in other words, people like me. Although it's not a perfect comparison, I would say that Jethro Tull is perhaps the closest point of reference (especially on "Beating The Bounds") if you're talking about similar crossover acts. If you're still of two minds, I really would strongly recommend that you give Jon Boden's accomplished second solo album a chance, as "Songs From The Floodplain" really is one of a kind and, although it is never anything short of interesting, it is more than often breathtaking and has many moments of genuine greatness.

Jon Boden's work with Bellowhead will be known to many folk lovers for its uplifting celebration of English folk music, but his 2 solo albums "Painted Lady" and "Songs from the Floodplain" reveal a different, more reflective, side to his character and music. "Painted Lady" was an extraordinary album, disgracefully neglected - I've never seen a review of it, or heard anyone else mention it - but "Floodplain" is even better. Melodically and instrumentally, it stands right up there with anything, including Dylan and the Beatles, but added to its exquisite melodies are lyrics of lost Englishness, decay and nostalgia that produce a work of art that is nothing short of astonishing. It's even beautifully packaged, so you need to buy it, rather than burn it or download it! It would be sad if Boden becomes another English musical genius (Richard Thompson, Tom McRae et al) who is largely unknown to most people. I would urge people to buy this album (and "Painted Lady") and bring it to the notice of anyone they meet. This is what Englsh music should sound like in the 21st century - distinctive, melodic and drawing on its own heritage. In other countries, where they are more assertive about their own musical traditions, Boden would by now have achieved natioanl treasure status. One thing is for certain, "Songs from the Floodplain" is a treasure to those who have bought it.