There are surely no words left with which to describe the icon who is Ashley Hutchings, but even he could never have thought that one day he would release his 100th album as a band leader or member (as opposed to a straight session musician), but here it is. Recorded at different shows over the last six years, this album is broken into four distinct sections, containing different line-ups performing songs from recent releases ‘From Psychedelia To Sonnets’, ‘Dylancentric’, ‘Beginnings of Fairport Convention’ and ‘Paradise and Thorns’. Two of these find Ashley supported by just two others, while the others are with bands, and they provide a wonderful insight into the world of a musician who just seems unable to stop recording and touring.
Although he was not the lead singer in Fairport Convention, over the years his warm vocals have graced countless songs, but one of his strengths is also that he recognises when a particular number would be better suited with someone else, and female vocalists have always been an important facet of his career. Becky Mills features in two of these groups, Ruth Angell another, and in the opening show they combine around Ashley’s musicianship to create something which is reflective, traditional, and incredibly powerful. This is the largest selection, with five songs, but the beauty contained within the delicate arrangements and wonderful vocals means one wishes this was the full performance.
This then leads us into the Fairport Convention section, and with just three songs I must confess to feeling somewhat hard done by as it is difficult for me to describe just how much their music means to me, but when one of the songs is a delightful version of “Crazy Man Michael” how can one really be upset? A special mention should be made here of Guy Fletcher as his violin cries and wails in perfect harmony with Becky’s vocals. From there we get three songs from ‘Dylancentric’, Ashley’s homage to the person he considers the finest songwriter there is, taking the album in a very different direction indeed before we finish with four numbers from ‘Paradise and Thorns’, one of his finest works. With his son Blair Dunlop and Becky by his side, Ashley sits backs and reflects, gentle and considering.
The Guv’nor has reached his century, yet somehow, I don’t think we have heard the last of him yet. The man who brought us Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, The Albion Band and many more is still going strong, and this album shows he is just as important and relevant he has always been. Essential for any lovers of English folk.
Rating: 10/10
Links:
https://ashleyhutchings.co.uk/
https://talkingelephant.co.uk/
