The Cannon Hill Irregulars — In Their Prime
Talking Elephant have made their name on the back of re-issuing classic Folk Rock albums from the 1970s, however the good news is they are branching out, providing a platform for new music within the genre. The genesis of this album dates back to a 1981 tour, when The Albion Band’s new keyboard player Anthony Ingle was so impressed with the band’s playing and attitude to the music that it set him thinking, and 38 years later this is the culmination of those thoughts.
After opening with the jigs, "Happy to Meet Sorry to Part/Roarin’ Jelly/Rake of Kildare" we are treated to "Rambling Comber" a cheery folk ditty with an underlying progressive quality that comes from the unusual time signature. "The Broom o’ Cowdenknowes" is a melancholy ballad featuring a lead vocal from Bill Caddick and some excellent lead guitar work from Graeme Taylor. "Lancashire Morris/ Laud’Num Bunches" provide an instrumental interlude. "High Germany" is up next utilizing a tune that instantly takes me back to the Shirley Collins version of "Cruel Lincoln" from her wonderful Lodestar album. "Yorkshire Wassail" adds a little festive fun to the proceedings, this is followed by "General Taylor", a great folk-rock version of the song previously released in acapella form by Steeleye Span. "Bundle of Sticks/Hoboeken-Dans" provides another interesting musical interlude at the album’s midpoint, a sort of prog/folk track that highlights the exceptional musicianship on display throughout the album.
"Right of Way" and "Leave her Johnny" kick the second half of the album underway, both tracks are taken from the Lionel Bart musical Maggie May, but both work well in this setting. "The Green Bed" is one of my personal favourites on the album, this wouldn’t sound out of place alongside tracks from Fairport’s Liege and Lief or Unhalfbricking. "Over the Broom/Nine in the Morning", a couple of original instrumentals from Anthony Ingle are next, these are followed by "The Devil and the Ploughman", a bawdy bit of nonsense that would be frowned upon if written today, but nevertheless it remains a fun, none too serious listen. "Young Sailor Cut Down in His Prime" is up next and features a great lead vocal from Bill Caddick, at over 6 minutes in length it is the longest track on the album and something of an epic. A seemingly fitting epitaph for a legendary singer/songwriter. The album closer "Battle Brawl/Ronde No. 10" has a distinctly Gryphon style feel to it, mixing medieval folk sounds with progressive rock to great effect.
Overall, In Their Prime is the perfect title for this album, this sounds like a band at their melodious peak making music they love. The fact they are all accomplished musicians with a long history does not take away from the album’s vibe which is that of a band working in unison to create a solid slab of Folk Rock. The high points for me include "High Germany", "General Taylor", "The Green Bed" and "Young Sailor Cut Down in His Prime", the rest is at worst solid and for the most part pretty strong. The performances are brilliant, the band are tight, and both Graeme Taylor and Anthony Ingle use their skills to greatly enhance the album through their lead playing. A top album from a great label.