Battle of the Field [Import, Original recording remastered]

Albion Band | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 21, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Bgo - Beat Goes on
• ASIN: B0000011PA
• Also Available in: Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,716 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Albion Sunrise

2. Mouresque/London Pride/So Selfish Runs The Hare/Maid Of The

3. I Was A Young Man

4. New St George/La Rotta

5. Gallant Poacher

6. CheshireRounds\The Old Lancashire Hornpipe

7. Hanged I shall Be

8. Reaphook And Sickle

9. Battle of The Somme

Editorial Reviews

Battle of the Field was recorded by the Albion Country Band in 1973, but it wasn't released until 1976. The delay didn't really matter, since the group's music -- traditional English folk played on electric instruments -- is essentially timeless. The group wasn't quite as skilled as Fairport Convention, but they were nevertheless extraordinarily talented, and this arguably remains their finest moment. ~ Thom Owens, Rovi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Old Friend, Again, February 24, 2006

By 

Jeffrey A. Showell (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Battle of the Field (Audio CD)

Other reviewers have more or less said it already, but this is undoubtedly one of THE classic recordings from the heyday of British traditional folk-rock. Fairport Convention was always a rock band that discovered traditional music. Steeleye Span was always a folk band that tried (sometimes miserably) to be a rock band. The Albion Country Band-- at least the version that recorded this album-- seems to be the perfect blend-- a muscular rhythm section of Roger Swallow and Ashley Hutchings, the band's founder, together with rhythmically-oriented guitar work by both Simon Nicol and Martin Carthy, topped off with Carthy's vocals and John Kirkpatrick's accordian. It's Sue Harris' snakey oboe on top of it all, however, that gives the band it's distinctive sound. These musicians are all superstars and play together marvelously in a very carefully arranged selection of songs and dance tunes.

I have this recording on vinyl-- I got in college a couple of decades ago-- and it's as fresh now as it was then. I haven't had an operating turntable in a while, so I decided to get it on CD. I'd had a real hankering to hear the bitter lament "I Was a Young Man"-- a superb arrangement--so resistance was futile. "The Gallant Poacher" lopes along in great striding fashion, followed by an almost impossibly fast and nicely arranged "Cheshire Rounds/The Lancashire Hornpipe." There are a couple of Richard Thompson songs, including one he himself has not recorded. It's a bit of a throwaway in terms of it's being "a Richard Thompson song" but intoduces the recording and sets things up nicely.

The album has a "chamber folk orchestra" feel, created primarily by Harris' oboe and the band's very attentive, brilliant arrangements. Americans would never record folk music this way, but I'm a big fan. Some of Norma Waterson's and Linda Thompson's work has this same feel.

The band had a confusing history and recorded only this album, which, itself, took a few years to see the light of day. An earlier customer review by "the Wizard" is not entirely accurate regarding the line up. Lead vocalist is without a doubt the ever-magnificant Martin Carthy and, while drummer Dave Mattacks did play with the band and is recorded on one track, Roger Swallow plays on all other tracks. This is a great recording and I recommend it without hesitation.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an English folkrock classic, June 12, 2004

By 

K. Hottentot (Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Battle of the Field (Audio CD)

Recorded in 1973 at the end of British folkrock's heyday, but shelved when the band that made it broke up and ultimately released three years later in 1976 on an Island budget sublabel, this was an at the time largely ignored piece of work. Which is really sad because this album is up there with the best of the genre, with some of its finest musicians collaborating: Ashley Hutchings, Martin Carthy, Simon Nicol, John Kirkpatrick, Sue Harris and Roger Swallow. A wonderful blend of trad and rock, listen to the Morris Medley amongst others and be blown away. They don't make 'em like that anymore!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Albion Band - A NEWBIE NOW HOOKED !, August 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Battle of the Field (Audio CD)

A wonderful wonderful CD - I was out looking for some traditional Folk music when i came across this. I', now off to buy more from this artist .... ! Even the kids love it ! If you like fun origianl music with a bit of foot tapping then buy this CD before the delete it |!