John Bull Band, Alive and Kicking (John Bull Music, 2004)

For over 25 years the John Bull band has been plying their own particular brand of folk rock to tunes for ceilidh and barn dances. After ten years, this is a long-awaited release from a band that is now broadening its horizons. Their 'bread and butter' is playing dance tunes, but here on this album they include some songs. While they are essentially a ceilidh dance band, making this album has provided the opportunity for the band to explore new ideas. These include some re-worked material taken from their involvement with theatrical productions by The Riverside Players on the Wirral, Cheshire. The result is indeed a fine example of the closeness a band only gets after years of playing together. Most of the tunes are drawn from traditional material arranged by the band, but also include several tracks written by members of the band.

The band is: Richard Stapledon (melodeon, whistle and vocals), Neil Stuart (bass, guitars, mandolin, and vocals), Robin Boyle (fiddle and Boss Dr-5 programming) and Eddie Henderson (caller and handclaps). Eager to be masters of their own destiny, they recorded this album in Chesterfield, Heswall, and the Isle of Man. It was engineered, mastered, and mixed by band member Robin Boyle. Needless to say, he's done a fine, professional job.

So what of the music? Well, I liked this album from the minute I put it on to play. It starts with what they call their overture tune at dances, 'Enrico' by Thomas Hardy. Next is 'Battle of the Somme', a re-arranged version of the one recorded on their CD Folk Songs of the Spanish Inquisition. Two jigs, 'Six of the Best / Odds-on Favourite', written by Neil Stuart, are next. At track four is one of the best arrangements I have heard of Pete Coe's song 'Joseph Baker' -- surprising how it fits in nicely with the folk rock treatment. This has to be my favourite track from the album, but maybe I am a little bit biased, knowing the history of the song and having a little to do with the song's fruition. However, it is still damn good.

Although the band has a folk rock sound, some of the tunes are instantly recognisable and for the most part played at the original tempos. A lot are standards, including tunes such as 'Farewell to Old England / Jenny Pluck Pears', 'Polka Chinoise / Staffordshire Hornpipe / Old Pal', 'Johnny Mickey Barry's / Salmontails up the River', 'Sellenger's Round', 'Sheebeg and Sheemore and Variation' (written by Neil) and 'Rocky Road to Dublin' teamed with 'Paranoid Fiddler' (the latter written by Robin). A different arrangement of the carol 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' adds a nice variation to the music, as do the other tunes that are written by the band, including 'Flying through Thringstone', 'Caged up in Coalville', 'Moonflower Rose', 'Primrose Lass' and 'The Lonely Dandelion'.

The album boasts a generous seventeen tracks, and of these only four are songs, but they do add a necessary light and shade to the album. At track nine is a contemporary song written by Neil entitled 'Alright on the Night'. The song deals with the nerves or plight of a band on the road, blaming the sound engineer or the lighting man if things don't go to plan. Another song well worth an extra mention is 'Bringing in the Sheaves' at track thirteen. A Harvest Festival feel is added by the backing arrangement played on a Church Organ -- good effect.

I really enjoyed this album, and I think anyone who is a fan of Fairport Convention or the early days of the Albion Country Band will lap it up. It has some fine material not heard before.

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