The Albion Christmas Band were formed back in 2003 by Ashley Hutchings (Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, Albion Band, Rainbow Chasers), Kellie While, Simon Care (Albion Band, Tickled Pink) and Simon Nicol (Fairport Convention, Richard Thompson, Albion Band and many others). They tour the UK each Christmas with a show which features seasonal songs and tunes smattered with humorous readings and the occasional silly dance. Somehow they have also found time record a series of albums, and this their latest offering is a compilation of material taken from these.
I found the whole album an absolute delight, with the sheer class one would expect from performers such as these. What I found interesting is that not every song is actually a Christmas number, just that it fitted in with the time of year. One of the highlights is Simon singing “Frozen Man”, a number I already knew from Fairport Acoustic Convention as he has been singing this and performing it for years. I have always felt that in many ways Simon is an under-rated singer, and I love all of his leads with Fairport and both his solo albums (“Rosemary’s Sister” and “The Deserter”, both of which he has performed with Fairport, are absolute classic numbers), and here he shows his emotional poignancy off to great effect. The other song I need to highlight is “Mad World”, with vocals by Kellie While and backing from Simon. Gently picked acoustic guitars, accordion and fiddle, this is a very different version indeed to the one that everyone knows. While I have always enjoyed the original by Tears for Fears, I actually prefer this as it gives the song a totally different feel. A great album for the holidays, and a great introduction to some wonderful performers.
Rating: 8/10
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Track list:
1.I Love This Time of Year
2. The Advent Polka/St. Nick’s Brawl
3. Frozen Man
4. In the Bleak Midwinter
5. River
6. Mad World
7. Humours Upon the Ice
8. Little Johnny England
9. Gloucester Hornpipe/Border Morris Medley
10. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
11. On Hogmany
12. Well So That Is That
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Links:
https://www.albionchristmas.co.uk/
https://www.talkingelephant.co.uk/
