Various Artists — Gather In The Mushrooms

Gather In The Mushrooms was first released in the year 2004- it was a 60s/70s British folk compilation compiled/ curated by Bob Stanley( DJ/ member of Saint Etienne). Here from UK’s Ace Records is a reissue of the compilation. It’s available as either a double vinyl release or as a CD. The collection is well sequenced for a mellow, if at times sombre, to lightly playful tone.

The double vinyl version comes in a thick gatefold with double-sided liner notes- this version includes nineteen tracks, with the track “The Bells Of Dunwich” by Stone Angel– on side B not included on the CD version. The CD version is presented in a see-through jewel case, which features a glossy sixteen-page inlay booklet recreating the liner notes from the vinyl inlay.

The compilation has a generally good flow, blending the known with not-so-not-so-known, so it’s easier to see why the reissue has appeared. The first half of the collection opens with “Corn Rigs” By Magnet & Paul Giovanni- this is a spritely yet moody blend of strummed ‘n’ picked acoustic guitar, light baritone sing-song male vocals, and mellowily piping horns and strings- it was of course used in the folk horror classic The Wicker Man (1973). As we move on, we have broodingly chiming ‘n’ simmering guitars,  hauntingly wailing female vocals, and steady/ sparse percussion of  “Winterwinds” by Fotheringay. And the lulling bounding piano keys, shimmering organ/ guitar tone, and rising female lead/ backing singer songwriter chorus of  Mellow Candle’s “Sheep Season”.

In its second half, we move from the earthly male sing-song vocals and jigging-to-strutting blues guitar tones of “The Werewolf” by Barry Dransfield. Onto the wistful warbling & warming female vocals, steady strumming,  and light pipings of Vashti Bunyan’s “Window Over The Bay”. Through to the haunting theremin simmer, moody guitar strum, wavering female chorused, and lightly stringed swooned flow of Comus “The Herald”.

I’d say that, Gather In The Mushrooms would work well as an introduction to British folk music of the late 60’s to mid 70’s, or as a pleasing/ rewarding trip down memory lane for those who already appreciate the form and sound.