Life’s been anything but kind to Dick Gaughan in recent years. Ill health, the inability to gig, a certain label Scrooge like hoarding his album masters and refusing to free them up for reissue, all compounded the issue. Latterly – thanks to the efforts of journalist Colin Harper – prospects look somewhat brighter. Stacks of material, live, demoes, alternate takes has been brought to light, some of which – 10 tracks- is presented here by way of an exclusive negotiated by Talking Elephant. Later, the box set, for now the BBC sessions and concerts of the 70s are more than enticing.
Some tracks come from his time in Boys Of The Lough ‘Floors O’ The Forest’ is arresting but among his solo recordings the finest is a pre Five Hand Reel acoustic take of ‘Freedom Come All Ye.’ It’s these numbers which hold examples of his mastery of the guitar and one of a kind dialect heavy vocals. ‘Willie O’ Winsbury’ is pleasingly undimmed by the passage of time, it’s free flowing yet disciplined, during seven plus minutes it never falls below excellent. That is simply why Gaughan’s music early or later, remains a touchstone. Complemented by a brilliant booklet with short essays from Mr. Harper and Martin Simpson, loads of photos, great one of Five Hand Reel with Martin Simpson playing what looks like a model Flying V, a grinning Gaughan resplendent in a Hedgehog Pie T shirt. Yes indeed those were the days! Relive them here, Cracking stuff.
Simon Jones.
www.talkingelephant.co.uk www.dickgaughan.com
