Customer Reviews

Plainsong

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lost to the ages,Ian Matthews Plainsong is the bridge between the west coast folk of CSNY,Buffalo Springfield, the Byrds and their contempories of the time (68-72) in the U.K. Fairport Convention,the Incredible String Band and sensitive intuitive writers such as Richard Thompson, Nick Drake, Sandy Denny,etc.
Water has rewarded the faithfull with restored covers, informative liner notes, and a whole extra disc of the unreleased 2nd album, demos and live material.
Preaching to the faithfull is unfullfilling, Informing those who have not a clue is enlightening. Simplified, Plainsong is one of the most important reissues of recent memory, an important piece of work by Ian Matthews and company that should have made them a standard by which all future efforts by others would have been measured.
Eternally warm and transcendental, Plainsong is as fresh sounding today as it was when I unwraped the cover and placed it on my record player in 1972.
Get it now while you still can.....................

I apologize for the seeming hyperbole, but this is truly an important and special release: WOW! Ian Matthews joined this group briefly before launching a full-fledged solo career in the early 70s, but what a mark they left! This is intelligent, inspired, music for the soul -- as vital as if they recorded it last week rather than 30 or so years ago.

The entire song cycle regarding Amelia Earhart is simply brilliant, as are the pitch-perfect and tight versions of "Yo-Yo Man," "Old Man at the Mill," "I'll Fly Away," "Save Your Sorrows," or the many other fantastic tunes on this disk. Marrying thoughtful, sweet lead vocals over tight harmonies, surrounded by inspired rock, folk, country, bluegrass, and cosmic-cowboy stylings, this was music way ahead of time. We've finally caught up.

This deluxe edition Of the classic 1972 record: "Plainsong" is in fact three releases on these two CD's offered here.

The original release is as the other reviewers have already posted, one of the finest documents of acoustic music, well...ever! And, that record's merits and beauty are of little equal by any other artists of 1972, or since.

But, things have indeed gotten better as this edition features tracks from two Other CD's: "Plainsong, And That's That", a 1992 Taxim Records release of demos intended for the second Plainsong record that didn't see completion. "And That's That" also included four vintage live Plainsong tracks from 1972. The second disc {also from 1992} was entitled: "Plainsong ~ On Air, The BBC Recordings" This one was on Band of Joy Records. Both of these CD's are long out-of-print. But now, right here, they have been brought forth, once again.

Iain Matthews, Andy Roberts, Bobby Ronga and David Richards were the center of this acoustic world, and this unique and timeless music is now all together on these two discs sounding better than ever. This is a bargain.
Four Stars !!!

I first heard of Plainsong not, as most listeners probably did, as a fan of Iain Matthews' Southern Comfort/ Fairport Convention, but actually through Andy Roberts' later-70's collaboration with the legendary Roy Harper as a guitarist in his band and live accompanist. After hearing this album, I'm glad I went to the trouble to track it down.

The first disc, Plainsong's only official album, is the more together of the two--Plainsong's sound is typified by beautiful, flowing, clear vocal harmonies (Matthews has such a smooth voice!), their excellent selection of covers (from the title Earhart tune to folk and country standards to more obscure gems like Paul Siebel's "Louise", Gene Clark's "Spanish Guitar", and Henske/Yester's "Raider"), and their expert blending of country, rock, folk, and even a touch of psychedelia, using acoustic and electric instrumentation like slide guitar and dulcimer.

On the first disc, it's pretty easy to distinguish Matthew's self-penned songs from the covers, but it doesn't really take away from the album's flow. Matthews' tunes like "For the Second Time," and "Side Roads" are often the album's quieter moments, although "Even The Guiding Light" is one of the album's harder-rocking moments. "Yo-yo Man" and "Diesel on My Tail" lighten the mood (maybe a little more than necessary), and the pair of Earhart songs present two different stories of the famous aviator--a romanticized hero's tale, and a melancholy lament about what was more likely her actual, uglier end. The bonus tracks range from OK to very good, with a couple medium-caliber originals and some more well-chosen covers ("Seeds and Stems" is great weepy stoner country). I really have to hand it to Plainsong and Matthews for their eclecticism--these two discs have quite a broad range of great country songs as well as more obscure classics. The only drawback with Plainsong's one and only album is that at times it seems a little too polished--the vocals are so smooth, the production so clean that sometimes the music floats by without creating as much of an impression based on unique personality as it might. Regardless, how many British bands made this genuine, reverent country rock in the 70's that actually sounded this good?

The second disc, containing Plainsong's second, unreleased album, "Now We Are 3," and a great live set, is much less essential than the first disc. Really, I like to think of it as more of an entire bonus disc. "Now We Are 3" finds the band tinkering with their sound in some ways that don't really work as well (saxophone?), but also continuing to blend originals with some great covers. Unfortunately, this time around, the originals (although aided by Roberts on a few) just aren't as good, and many of the covers don't sound as heartfelt. Perhaps it was Matthews' growing plans to leave the band (check out the liner notes, that also have a lot of info about the artists Plainsong covered), or a bit of writers' block, but the spark that lit up the first album isn't as bright here. The live set is great, though, offering different versions of many of their signature songs, and "Along Came Mary" at the end is pretty enjoyable.

All in all, I heartily recommend this economically-priced twofer for fans of straight up country, country rock like the Byrds and Gram Parsons, and also for fans of Matthews and British folk rock. There's a lot to enjoy here for fans of both folk and rock, and it just might get you more interested in country. Hopefully it also gets you interested in some of the amazing artists that are covered here, especially cult legend Paul Siebel and psych-folk Judy Hensky/Jerry Yester.

Plainsong continued Iain Matthew's forays into country rock and roots music, after he had abandoned Matthews Southern Comfort.

As band member Andy Roberts notes in this reissue's booklet, Matthews had a comprehensive knowledge of both American and English roots music, and many fine old 'chestnuts' are covered in this 2 cd package, alongside some memorably good songs written by Matthews himself.

With Plainsong, Matthews seemed to be aiming at a middle-of-the-road country rock sound, with pop overtones. At times Plainsong can sound like America, the Eagles, early 70's Hollies, John Denver, Mason Proffit, and many other bands of the period. A few tunes ("The Old Man and the Mill", "Raider") recall Matthews first band, Fairport Convention.

Matthews has a slight, pleasant tenor voice which can seem sweetly bland--he always sounds the same. Roberts, the other mainstay of the band, comes across vocally as a cross between Harry Chapin and John Denver. The instrumental backing is very good, particularly Dave Richards thudding, melodic bass playing, which helps the band to rock a little harder.

All in all this is a nice, wholesome-sounding band that chose to play mostly excellent material (John Hartford, Utah Phillips, Richard Thompson, Gene Clark) with only a few missteps ("Seeds and Stems"?). Very solid, but nothing groundbreaking. At two discs with two hours of music, it is worth the asking price.

Great to see one of my all time favorite albums re-issued in this wonderful two cd set. Ian Matthews at his best in this short lived group. Too bad Elektra convenced him to move to the US and become a solo artist, leaving the group hanging with a second album already in the can. This band could have been a major contender in the folk rock genre. The unreleased LP is here along with a selection of live, radio and demo cuts. These recordings are so well done, great choice of originals and cover tunes done in tasteful folk-rock arrangements. I bought the original LP in a cut out bin for .99 cents in the mid seventies, the best buck I ever spent! A desert island selection for sure! Hats off to Water for superb, justice doing re-issue!

This CD is a must own for all Iain Matthews fans..This 2cd set not only sees the first stateside appearance of "In Search Of Amelia Earhart",we finally get a real release of the long lost (unreleased) second album "Now We Are 3"..Along with both albums we get radio sessions,unreleased demos,singles,and a portion of a live show from the era..

The sound quality is amazing..The booklet and artwork are also amazing..The booklet has an essay about the group,as well as interviews with band members..This is a real labor of love!

Thankyou to Water for giving us such a high quality release..You
should also check out the Water reissue of "Vally Hi/Some Days You Eat The Bear..." In my opinion Iain's Electra period was a real high point of his career!

Get it while you can!!

5 stars might (slightly) exagerate the overall quality of the original album, but this is unquestionably a 5 star release.

Folks with fond memories of the original release will be VERY pleased with the bounty of added material here! The "unreleased album" is as strong as its predessor, while BBC cover versions of Gene Clark's Spanish Guitar, The Byrds' Time Between and Richard Thompson's Poor Ditching Boy are absolute jewels. Also a treat are two acoustic versions of Even the Guiding Light; one live, the other studio - both unique in their perspective arrangements!

Most importantly, the added material gives us a much better appreciation for the band's range, with musicianship at its finest and jaw dropping harmonies!

The remastering is superb.

This is a wonderful reissue and hats off to the WATER label for making such a wonderful expanded release available.

'In Search of AH' is an album I discovered in 1976 during a time when I was spending two or three nights a week at CBGB's. The fact that this gently masterful album captured my heart is testament to its transcendence. The group's second album remained unreleased as Elektra Records President Jac Holzmann convinced Ian Matthews to pursue a solo career. The unimaginatively-titled 'Now We Are 3' did not build on all the strengths of the debut; the wonderful (almost) Abbey Road-like production touchs and haunting guitar lines gave way to a more orthodox mix of folky and country material, but it is nonetheless a wonderful album. A few of the songs went on to grace Matthews solo albums.

The live and BBC bonus material is fine and it's fun to hear the single version of Guiding Light and Along Comes Mary.

I really can't recommend this album highly enough... anyone who might think it's up their alley will be very satisfied.

This is one of the smoothest country-rock albums that Tiny Mainstream missed in the early seventies. One of those one-time one-of-a-kind perfect records. Too bad the group membership couldn't decide what to do next. A common ailment. The second going-to-be release stayed in the vault way too long. The double album by Water is what I've been looking for. You'll love it. There's a nice heavy stock booklet with some history and pictures and track listing. One of the overall feelings I detect is all the Americana. Covers of Paul Siebel, Chris Hillman, Gene Clark, Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Jimmy Rodgers, John Hartford, Jerry Yester and Judy Henske, plus a traditional tune or two arranged by Plainsong. Many of these are in the bonus area from live and radio sessions. It's practically a library of perfectly played goodness. The album In Search of Amelia Earhart is the gem. Not one song out of place or misread. The opening For the Second Time is an Iain Matthews beauty. "I disbelieved a lot and stayed inside. The silence makes a very loud reply." Been there. Lightens up right away with Yo Yo Man--later, Diesel On My Tail performs the same task. All the Matthews tunes--Call the Tune, True Story of Amelia Earhart, Even the Guiding Light, Side Roads--are high merit tunes. Andy Roberts electric understates all through. All the harmonies are delicious and soaring. My all-time favorite of the selections is Raider. The Yester/Henske piece from Farewell Aldebaran. This is a song that needs more public attention. Well. Doesn't look like I'll get to the second disc here. Suffice to say it's the best bonus ever. Just not as pristine and polished as the first. Plainsong gathered again in the nineties. I haven't been to those albums yet. Here I go.