REVIEW FROM www.livingtradition.co.uk

 

 


 

 

 
Sleeve not available
THE OLDHAM TINKERS "Best O'T' Bunch" PIERCD506

If you like Les Barker, George Formby, or author Peter Tinniswood, you stand a fair chance of liking this crew, who as the CDs subtitle indicates are concerned here wit the "Back Street Songs of Lancashire". Although they are witty and don't take themselves seriously, it comes across in the flawless renderings of their material, that they do regard the music with respect, and this comes across not just on the CD, but in the informative sleeve notes, where, for example it is said that the examples of Formby and Ken Dodd remind them not to go over the top in portraying the Lancashire Lad as a "gormless twit".

I like their drollery, but would certainly take issue with the claim to be the best of their output, when the immortal 'John Willie's Granddad' isn't included. Still with 18 tracks which cover the sundry anthems of Oldham "dark and light, deep and dotty" all delivered with a great fondness, and which include Formby's 'Lancashire Toreador' and 'A Mon Like Thee', there isn't owt to complain about.

Hector Christie

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This album was reviewed in Issue 54 of The Living Tradition magazine.