Acousticity (The Albion Band album)


Acousticity, released in 1993, was the first album in a new, stripped down format by the long-running folk rock outfit the Albion Band. It combines the song writing talents of the band members with traditional tunes and music from some of the best folk artists available at the time. It marked the beginning of a new lease of life for the long running and highly influential Albion Band, shaping the small group format that would be the basis of their line-up until their suspension in 2002.

History

Band leader and folk legend Ashley Hutchings pre-empted the unplugged trend of the 1990s by reducing the numbers and instruments of his long running collective the Albion Band by bringing back longtime collaborator and fellow ex-Fairport Convention founder Simon Nicol, beside new talent: singer-songwriter and guitarist Chris While and energetic fiddler Ashley Reed. After touring in Britain and Canada with the new line-up, the band retired to the Astra Studios in Ashford, Kent to record some songs that were part of their live set and some newly rehearsed material. Live performances of this set were released as Acousticity on Tour.

Reception and Significance

The album was well received in the folk and roots press of the time and has been singled out by Ashley Hutchings as one of the proudest achievements in his long career.

Track listing

  1. Flandyke Shore
  2. The Foresters / Nicol's Real Ale Polka / The Travellers / The Seven Stones
  3. Sister Moon
  4. We Lie
  5. Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump
  6. Head-Smashed-In Reel
  7. Black Jack, Blue John & Galena / Blue John Hornpipe
  8. Bitter-Sweet Bed
  9. Fastnet Rock / Man of War
  10. Carolan's Cap / Sir Festus Burke
  11. Dancer to the Drum
  12. Fiddle on the Washboard

    Credits