Long ago and oh so far away… to quote the Carpenters, March 1st 2003 actually, 21 years since. The back story runs something like this. A trio of intrepid Dutch Fairport fanatics having had a few of draughts of strong lager decided the chummy surroundings of their favourite bar would be a great place to recreate a Cropredy vibe, the bar owner was certain that his function room was just the right fit. Underway, they adopted the name Folk Grolloo from the place they lived in. Amazingly these brave entrepreneurs assembled an enticing bill, no less than Iain Matthews already a resident of Holland was first to be listed followed soon by a reformed Nicol & Sanders from contemporary Convention and folk rock great white hopes Little Johnny England readily agreed to come along as well. The whole thing was a huge leap of faith, which whilst it never made vast profits was artistically an undoubted success. Plus the engineer on the desk was crafty and recorded the whole event in full clarity.
First issued – I believe – as a limited run of 100 back then, the original recordings soon disappeared into the collections of Euro folkies and totally by passed the UK, but it all comes round again… now where have I heard that before? Resurfacing relatively recently the tapes were the subject of quiet whispers and speculation for a short while, but now fully revived by new label Radz Records as three separate releases, you’ve no real excuse for passing them over as each is well worth your time and investment. Once more they’re a limited run so you should know grabbing them now makes sense.
In no particular order then, Iain Matthews & Ad Vanderveen, already established as an acoustic duo across the Netherlands at this time, craft an easy going set of each other’s highlights and hits. Settling in with two appealing selections early on ‘ The Girl With Clouds In Her Eyes,’ is great, a loping melody with a light as down Matthews vocal, ‘First Feeling’ from Vanderveen a delightful slice of minstrelsy. The pair of them are easy in each other’s company and playing, none more so than when Ric Sanders wanders on to join them for ‘Funk & Fire’ which his fiddle assuredly provides. Of course the most familar track is ‘Woodstock,’ delivered with a heap of quiet soul but Lynn Miles ‘Unravel’ is another gem.
Simon Nicol & Ric Sanders play a thoroughly entertaining set with some expected and unexpected items, f’r instance you might well predict ‘Crazy Man Michael,’ but ‘Bach’s Double Violin Concerto 1st Movement,’ er….?! It’s their ability as musician’s which is constant here, whether it’s their handling of a set of centuries old Morris Tunes ‘Sheriff’s Ride,’ which first turned up on the Albion Country Band album back in 1975 or Lennon & McCartney’s ‘Here,There & Everywhere,’ everything is exact and interpreted with skill. Nicol expresses his delight that they’ve revived ‘Over The Lancashire Hills’ from his solo album, just as effective ‘Rosemary’s Sister’ from the same source, both atmospheric and full of yearning. ‘The Widow Of Westmorland’s Daughter,’ rounds things off in a jovial six minute burst of energy and melody. A job very well done. Great to finally have recorded evidence of this over looked corner of Fairport available.
Little Johnny England get a double CD, their gig just shy of two hours long is magnificent, at the height of their powers they run through the tracks from their early Fellside albums – someone get those on the reissue list please as well as their live debut. Poignant in the light of Gareth Turner’s passing, the band are tight, bouncing around and full of fizz, PJ Wright’s guitar is mighty and pleasingly loud, delicate folk this ain’t but by God, it’s stirring and reminds you why so many people loved them and love them still. ‘The Way Things Ought To Be’ kicks off and before long we’re into the bittersweet ‘Moon At My Window,’ ‘ Johnny England,’ their signature tune is a wistful glance over the shoulder at the loss of tradition. ‘My Heart’s Where My Home Used To Be,’ a shot across the bows of rural planners and in comers is even more relevant today as vast swathes of green disappear and village services scratch a living at the whim of faceless council officals. ‘Widdecombe Fair,’ is creepy but irresistible as dark things lurk on the moors of Devon, however ‘I Was A Young Man,’ turns the traditional song inside out with magnificent results PJ once more having a ball on guitar and everyone deconstructing folk music before putting it back together as near to rock as damn it. Small wonder they get a standing ovation, thoroughly deserved. If ever there was a band which needs reforming to continue both legacy and potential it’s Little Johnny England. Somewhat essential.
The fact that all the event is here means that the introductions are all in Dutch, as well as half way through the LJE set Simon Nicol – being the perfect gentleman – proposes for one of the hosts, obviously shy organisers; she says ‘yes’ by the way to much cheering and whooping. Okay, it was long ago and far away but you can relive Folk Grolloo as often as you want in the comfort of your own lounge/room of choice. A festival at home. And yes, Folk Grolloo went on, other concerts they’ve got in the tape cupboard include Show Of Hands, far more Iain Matthews and a little known band called Fairport Convention. Who’re they? The club’s still running too which proves the durability of the original premise.
All available exclusively from those excellent types at Talking Elephant. First class melodic archaeology.
Simon Jones.
talkingelephant.co.uk
