Blowzabella, Strange News

CD 2013,  BLOWZABELLA (11a3)

Il gruppo festeggia con questo album il suo 35esimo anniversario. Il disco è bellissimo e alterna alcune danze in puro stile Blowzabella (mazurkas, bourrées e scottishes) ad alcuni traditionals, cantati da Jo Freya, che sono una autentica novità. Qualche perplessità suscita invece la qualità  del lavoro di registrazione che Paul James e Jon Swayne hanno svolto in studio prima in Inghilterra e poi in Francia, grazie all'interessamento di Patrick Bouffard, che collabora anche al disco suonando l'hurdy-gurdy in "The Diggers/Cotillon". Il suono appare poco dettagliato e un po' caotico, soprattutto sui bassi. In copertina una bella fotografia di Lieve Boussaw.

The group celebrates its 35th anniversary with this album. The album is beautiful and alternates some dances (mazurkas, bourrées and schottisches) in pure Blowzabella style and some traditional sung by Jo Freya, a real novelty. The vocals were recorded in Leeds by Neil Ferguson. Patrick Bouffard contributes very well on hurdy-gurdy on “The Diggers / Cottillion”. The music was recorded by Paul James and Jon Swayne in England at Kennard Moor Drove, Coxbridge, Sommerset and in France at Patrick Bouffard’s place in Franchesse.  The quality of the recording causes some doubts. The sound seems poorly detailed and a bit chaotic, especially in the lower frequencies. The cover presents a beautiful photograph by Lieve Boussaw.

Tracks:

1. All Things Are Quite Silent - 2. Le Petit Chien / The Long Drive - 3. Malique - 4. Strange News - 5. Falco  - 6. The Muffler / Bhaskar’s - 7. Black and White Box / Ubu the King - 8. Searching For Lambs / Main Dans La Main  - 9. The Maple Tree / Glasshouse - 10. Billy Ruffian / The Schoolhouse - 11. Nelly Was A Milkmaid  - 12. The Diggers / Cotillon - 13. Shed Number 9 / Le Vicaire

Musicians:
Andy Cutting - diatonic button accordion, triangle. Jo Freya – vocals, clarinet, bass clarinet, soprano and tenor saxophones, whistle. Paul James – border bagpipes, soprano and alto saxophones, whistle. Gregory Jolivet – alto hurdy-gurdy. Dave Shepherd – violin, octave violin.  Barn Stradling – acoustic bass guitar, octave bass guitar. Jon Swayne – border bagpipes, soprano and alto saxophones. Guest: Patrick Bouffard – hurdy-gurdy on The Diggers / Cotillon.

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