I’m tempted to label ‘A Live Transmission’ a ‘Must Have.’ Yes, it’s that strong. From the opening blast of rock’n’brass which heralds the arrival of ‘Napoleon’s Grande March’ to the closing traceries of ‘Battle Of The Somme’ this is a splendid effort from a splendid band. It’s all too easy to forget Home Service in the worthy but sometimes wandering tale of giving our folk material a modern focus and new purpose, yet how can you dismiss a group who’ve a direct line back to The Albion Band and that hugely productive spell centred around The National Theatre, when Albion rebels and John Tams hunkered down and plotted a new group? One which would use the legacy of Victorian songs to present the opposite of bucolic rurality and show a working reality based on traditional and their own material, an injection of brass instruments adding to the power of the band, especially in a live context. They were in every sense mighty. Did I say were? They still are mighty. And they’re still relevant.

Since returning with the incenduary archive release ‘Live 1986’ in 2011, Home Service haven’t always found the road forward easy. They’re an eight piece, that’s a lot to keep on the road, John Tams left, the others got no less than John Kirkpatrick in to replace him, then John Tams returned so they’d two front men, JK departed, later JT retired. Running with the original blueprint guitarist Graeme Taylor made the inspired choice of Bob Fox to head up the band, who brings with him not only a similar voice to Tams but a whole stack of songs from the industrial heritage of the north east. Talk about a seamless fit!  A switch in management and more gigs meant that they were once more among us with clear purpose and intent.

‘A Live Transmission’ is sourced from Spring gigs in Balham, Wavendon and Bury St. Edmunds, all mixed and given a shine by the afore mentioned Graeme T throughout June. What’s here acknowledges all phases of their four decades, Tardising back as far as the B side of their first single; ‘Bramsley’ is as fine a stride out as it ever was, everyone meshing superbly, brass full throated and GT’s guitar solo ringing round the rafters.  The pairing of Alastair Anderson’s ‘Road To The North’ with the trad ‘The White Cockade,’ is nothing short of brilliant, Bob Fox right at home amongst the trumpets and trombones, in fact it’s a pure pleasure to hear him with a formidable group behind him. ‘Snow Falls’ is delicate and hopeful as author Tams intended and that link to the Albions is wonderfully celebrated, by a lighter version of ‘The Battle Of The Somme’ which serves as an appropriate finale. The socialist anthem ‘Walk My Way’ shows they’re still  committed to the cause, lyrics that ask for a little more care and equality, even humanity in life, needed now more than ever.

Look, if you’ve read this far you’ll be getting the drift, I think ‘A Live Transmission’ amongst the best music I’ve heard so far in 2024, it’ll certainly be in the Top 5 come December’s vinyl finals. More than that though, it resets and revives Home Service and that in itself is worth a party. It’s an eloquent release backed up with formidable musicianship and solid resolution. Thoroughly recommended – even if there wasn’t any room for ‘Sorrow/Babylon’ – stirring stuff indeed. What they could do if let loose in the studio – cross fingers/pray- is mind boggling to contemplate.

Simon Jones. 

talkingelephant.co.uk