There is no doubt whatsoever that Ashley Hutchings is responsible for more music and creation within the folk-rock scene than anyone else, and even though he does not appear on this album his influence is everywhere, especially given that Whetstone decided to come out of retirement after he was asked to play at The Guvnor’s 80th birthday bash. Whetstone was a founder member of Cock and Bull, and when Hutchings decided to create a new Albion Band in 1980, he invited members Whetstone (along with Jean-Pierre Rasle and John Maxwell) to join. Here we find Whetstone working with many musicians with links to Albion Band or Hutchings, and even covers some of the same material, although they actually kick off with the Cock and Bull number, “One For Dan”.
But, and this is incredibly important, this is not a group of old folkies recreating their younger dates but instead taking material and imbibing it with a freshness which clearly demonstrates just how much the folk-rock genre still has to offer. This is not an album where the melodeon is always front and centre, but rather is a carefully crafted release where Whetstone has approached old friends and songs and asked them to be involved, with some of them revisiting numbers they originally appeared on years ago, such as Judy Dunlop revisiting “Sway With Me” where this time around the harmony vocals are supplied by her sound Blair. This is a gorgeous collection of folk rock and folk, and whether one knows the original material or not, this is a true delight.
Rating: 9/10