I have mentioned on several occasions my enthusiasm for the re-issue and its importance in making otherwise 'lost' items available. The Ceilidh Album is a case in point; this little gem was originally issued in 1978 and is now re-issued in CD format by Storyville. Swarb's friends on this recording are Beryl Marriot - piano, Roger Marriot - melodeon, Alan Robertson - piano accordion, Simon Nicol - accoustic guitar/bass, Dave Pegg - bass, Bruce Rowland - drums/tambourine. With a line-up like this it goes without saying that the music is faultlessly performed, driven by Swarb's fiddle it really swings. The tunes featured are mostly old favourites, I particularly like the puzzlingly titled Antarctic Ice [Macphersons Lament] track two and the piano medley of morris tunes, track six.
The Ceilidh Album is a very pleasant CD of well-rounded traditional music and it is good to have it readily available again. There is one small quibble however; it is very short, the nine tracks producing a little over thirty-three minutes of running time. You can only re-issue what's there I guess. A very welcome release none the less, which will be enjoyed not only by Swarbrick completists but by all who like lively well-played music. Well done Storyville.
Danny Saunders
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this CD online from The Listening Post The Listening Post is the CD mailorder service of The Living Tradition magazine. This album was reviewed in Issue 52 of The Living Tradition magazine. |