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Product Description
Product Description
"Revamped and reinvigorated, the Albion Band's forty year legacy gets a new lease of life. This fresh faced six piece are set to kick start a folk-rock revival like no other" The Albion Band, originally formed by Ashley Hutchings in 1971, are pioneers of English folk rock. In 2011 Ashley stepped aside to introduce an all-new line up to reinvigorate Folk Rock for a new generation. Recapturing the spirit of the band's heyday with an edgier approach to folk rock, new album 'The Vice of The People' places new songs alongside reimagined traditional material, reworked Albion classics and stomping tune sets. Taking the spirit of classic era Albion Band and fusing it with award-winning songwriting, this is the sound of 21st Century English folk rock, and a welcome shot in the arm for the whole genre. Blair Dunlop (vocals/guitar), Gavin Davenport (vocals/guitar), Katriona Gilmore (vocals/fiddle), Benjamin Trott (lead guitar), Tom Wright (drums/vocals) and Tim Yates (bass/melodeon) are all familiar faces to festival-goers nationwide. With gritty arrangements and harmonies to kill for, the album has already been lauded as 'seminal' and 'classic'. With clear socio-political themes, the album embraces relentless rock ('Roll Over Vaughan Williams)', political biteback ('Thieves Song') and the melancholia ('Adieu to Old England'). With a storming live show, the reinvigorated Albion Band will make a huge and lasting impression on the folk scene for a long time to come.
Review
Over the last 40 years, something like 160 musicians have passed through the ranks of The Albion Band. Throughout that time, founder Ashley Hutchings has been at the helm. In a move that took many observers by surprise, Hutchings handed over the stewardship of the band to his son, guitarist and vocalist, Blair Dunlop.
Rather than populating the band with grizzled vets of the folk scene, Dunlop recruited a new generation of musicians: Gavin Davenport, Katriona Gilmore (who first saw The Albion Band in 1997 as a 12-year-old), Tom Wright and Tim Yates. Together they restore a more rock-inclined vitality to a set which is, in essence, a survey of the state of modern-day Britain. There’s a palpable anger at what has become of old Albion seething within tracks that document the widening gaps between rich and poor, incipient inequality dressed up as choice, and the paucity of ambition that bedevils so many young people in the thrall of talent shows and celeb culture.
A cappella opener A Quarter Hour of Fame points a recriminatory finger at the desire to be famous without any requisite ability or achievement: "And what about the history that made our country’s name? Who are you heroes now? / Would you trade it all for glory and a quarter hour of fame? Who are your heroes now?" As respect for our political and financial institutions has never been lower, Davenport’s Thieves Song is a timely reminder that not everyone who wants to rob us blind will be a lowly burglar: "So put no faith in rich men, though gold they have in store / For now they have the taste of it they’ll want it 10 times more!"
What at first seemed unthinkable and something of a risk has proved to have been a gamble that’s paid off handsomely if this debut record of the new line-up is anything to go by. With tightly-drilled playing and some vividly potent original writing, The Albion Band looks to be in good hands for the foreseeable future.
--Natalie Hardwick
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I saw them live a month or so ago and they were superb. This album reflects their current set list and has a concept album feel. The music is tight and urgent and the boys and Kat have breathed new life into the Albion Band format.
This is destined to be one of the Folk Rock albums of the year. A nice mix of Traditional Songs and tunes, interspersed with self penned numbers. They are touring the festivals this summer. Catch them live if possible. Buy this record !
This is destined to be one of the Folk Rock albums of the year. A nice mix of Traditional Songs and tunes, interspersed with self penned numbers. They are touring the festivals this summer. Catch them live if possible. Buy this record !
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By I. Skelly
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I haven't purchased an Albion Band CD since "Rise Up Like The Sun" many years ago, so I was interested to hear this. I put it on The CD player without looking at the cover, and was listening to track 3 "Coalville" when I recognised the female voice. This I thought is "Thea Gilmore" - I have several of her CD's and been to a couple of concerts - a very talented singer/songwriter. However when looking at the sleeve notes I found that the singer was in fact Katriona Gilmore. They sound so alike that they must be sisters but I can find no information on this on the Web. Can anyone help?
As for the CD - pure class. "Coalville" and "How Many Miles to Babylon" are exquisite renditions. The arrangement of How Many Miles brings back the eerie impression that the Nursery Rhyme made on me as a child. The rest of the tracks don't lag far behind either. The great tradition of this excellent band has been upheld.
As for the CD - pure class. "Coalville" and "How Many Miles to Babylon" are exquisite renditions. The arrangement of How Many Miles brings back the eerie impression that the Nursery Rhyme made on me as a child. The rest of the tracks don't lag far behind either. The great tradition of this excellent band has been upheld.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Why is it so important (IMHO) - because the "folk rock" I like is dominated by more elderly artists/groups. Nothing wrong with that - but we need something which springs from these roots and takes it to a new, young audience - I hope this does because I loved every track. Great singing, great electric guitars and modern songs alongside fiddle, accordion and folk material in a perfect mix. Superb!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fresh injection of Youthful spirit
I'm probably going to ruffle a few feathers here, but I think they are better than Blair Dunlops Dads original band!! Read more
Published 2 months ago by Valley Man
5.0 out of 5 stars
New generation same old quality
Great to see the direction the Albion Band have taken with this line up of young, exciting talent.
Songs and performances are all top drawer and clearly this band have many... Read more
Songs and performances are all top drawer and clearly this band have many... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Gordon Mckendrick
5.0 out of 5 stars
New Blood - old traditions of quality
Ashley Hutchings has passed on the baton to his son and a top quality line up of younger talent. It all seems new and sparkling with a vibrancy and urgency that grabs your... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Phantom Reviewer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rebooted Albion Band
Been a fan of the ALBION BAND since the late seventies in its many guises as dance or Christmas band. The latest incarnation must not be missed. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Darren Dean
5.0 out of 5 stars
Folk-rock as it should be
Ashley Hutchings did the right thing here. While his former Fairport buddies are still milking the "Liege and Lief" legacy with yet another greatest hits compilation which they... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr. M. E. Igoe
4.0 out of 5 stars
New generation Albion
The new generation / membership of the Albion Band has done a good job continuing the high standard and traditions of the past. Read more
Published 11 months ago by M. E. Trevelyan-jones
4.0 out of 5 stars
THE ALBION BAND - Vice Of The People
The stark acapella `calling-on song' "A Quarter Hour Of Fame" takes a knowing pop at the industry known as `pop' for, if Simon Cowell were to take even the slightest interest in a... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Pete Fyfe
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