Imagined Village discography

A record that is both a concept album by Simon Emmerson and also a compilation. Many of the good and great of the folk scene combine to cover (or re-interpret) a number of old favourites.

If all this sounds lukewarm, well that was my reaction before playing the record but the result is much exciting. The album is both fresh and relevant. There are some great versions of classic tunes. The artists combine in a way that transcends the material. Well worth a listen

With a line-up this good, you’d think that this would be a guaranteed success with any folk-loving listener. And there are some high spots on this ’concept’ album. Cold, Haily, Rainey Night is a stompingly good rendition of the traditional song. I even liked TamLyn retold. However, the record has far too many longueurs, really boring numbers. I thought I might enjoy it more when performed live, but the performance at Wychwood festival 2008 emphasised the uneven quality, with a large number of people voting with their feet and leaving the performance. The loss of tempo was aided and abetted by award ceremonies and an introduction to TamLyn by Martin that was so long he may as well have recited the original.

This seems to be one of those theoretical projects where the artists convince themselves of its merits without anyone daring to tell them differently. I realise there are fans out there, but for my money, please don’t attempt a follow up.

I’d rather listen to you all in your other guises, thanks.

This review comes from a "new user" - I’ve only just rediscovered listening to traditional music, after many years since learning The Lincolnshire Poacher in primary school. So please forgive the naivety!

I came to this through seeing/hearing ’Cold Haily Rainey Night’ on Later with Jools Holland - what a blast! Such energy and showmanship. So I bought the disc - and I didn’t get it. I thought it was uneven, and, at times incomprehensible. I didn’t know what I was supposed to think about John Copper’s ’ ’Ouses, ’ouses, ’ouses’ - that all the good people of Rottingdean should move up North? That ploughing with horses should be revived immediately?

But I stuck with it, listening in my car, and it passed the ’traffic jam on the M25’ test. I was stuck in the car with it, it made me think, and I learnt to appreciate the different blends and fusions. Tam Lyn rev. really grew on me, The Hard Times of Old England cheered my leveller soul, Cold Haily Rainy Night remained a showstopper, and I grew to understand ’Ouses’ - that you can hold the past as well as the present and future, and that is what matters.

And then I read in an interview with Eliza Carthy that the colonisation of English traditional music by the far right is a serious issue - and I thought what an answer! What a fabulous riposte! I’m really intrigued by this album, and have learnt to relish it, after a bewildered start.