Albion Country Band, Battle of the Field, LP UK Island Records 1976 - HELP 25

This album was recorded in 1973 but was shelved by Island because there were no conditions to promote it adequately. At that point, what is called the Albion Country Band split up and its musicians devoted themselves to other projects. But the public demanded the album and it was finally released in 1976 with the addition of a new song that Kirkpatrick and Sue Harris recorded in 1976 to replace Martin Carthy's "All of a Row", which was no longer available for release. Another version of "Harvest Home/The Gas Almost Works" appears on Hutchings' Guv'nor 3, while songs such as "The New St George; I'll Go And List For A Sailor; Hanged I Shall Be; Harvest Home/The Gas Almost Works" appear on the album "BBC session". Graphically, the cover designed by Ian Logan Associates, which represents a drawing on canvas, is very beautiful. Also suggestive are the photos on the back of Keith Morris and effective is the biographical note by journalist Rod McShane.

Questo disco è stato registrato nel 1973 ma è stato accantonato dalla Island in quanto non vi erano le condizioni per promuoverlo adeguatamente. A quel punto, quella che si chiama Albion Country Band si scioglie e i suoi musicisti si dedicano ad altri progetti. Ma il pubblico reclama il disco che viene finalmente pubblicato nel 1976 con l'aggiunta di un nuovo brano che Kirkpatrick e Sue Harris incidono nel 1976 in sostituzione di "All of a Row" di Martin Carthy, non più pubblicabile. Un'altra versione di "Harvest Home/The Gas Almost Works" compare sul Guv'nor 3 di Hutchings, mentre brani quali "The New St George; I'll Go And List For A Sailor; Hanged I Shall Be; Harvest Home/The Gas Almost Works" compaiono sull'album "BBC session". Graficamente, la copertina elaborata da quelli della Ian Logan Associates, che rappresenta un disegno su tela, è molto bella. Suggestive anche le foto sul retro di Keith Morris ed efficace la nota biografica del giornalista Rod McShane.

Tracks Side A: Albion Sunrise (2:55) - Morris Medley: Mouresque, London Pride, So Selfish Runs The Hare - Maid of The Mill, Sheriff's Ride (7:16) - I Was A Young Man (4:06) - The New St. George/La Rotta (4:15) Tracks SideB:: Gallant Poacher (4:26) - Cheshire Rounds / The Old Lancashire Hornpipe (2:44) - Hanged I Shall Be (6:22) - Reaphook and Sickle (2:47) - Battle Of The Somme (1:51)

Tracks 1-7 and 9: Albion Country Band, recorded 1973 Track 8: actually John Kirkpatrick & Sue Harris with Dave Mattacks, recorded 1976 (although credited to ACB) Engineered and produced by John Wood Recorded at Sound Techniques Studio and Island Studio, St. Peter's Square, London Album cover by Ian Logan Associates Photography by Keith Morris

Musicians: Martin Carthy: vocals, acoustic guitar; Sue Harris: vocals, oboe, hammered dulcimer; Ashley Hutchings: vocals, electric bass guitar; John Kirkpatrick: vocals, anglo-concertina, button accordion, melodeon, electric piano; Simon Nicol: vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, electric dulcimer, synthesiser; Roger Swallow: drums, percussion with Dave Mattacks: percussion on Reaphook and Sickle; Martin Nicholls, John Iveson, Colin Sheen and Paul Beer: sackbuts on Gallant Poacher