LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

English as tuppence, as the late Vivian Stanshall would have put it … This gathering of 1970s ‘cult’ folk/rock musicians and an award-winning theatrical arranger fronted by a beautiful young actress/singer forms the unusual nucleus of The Green House Band whose love for traditional songs and the art’s pioneering interpreters (Renbourn, Jansch et al) pays off with this classy debut album. The line-up includes former members of medieval rockers Gryphon; folk rockers Albion Band; and cult prog folk act Fuschia. Vocals are by Madeline Worrall, better known until now as a successful actress on stage and UK TV (‘Foyle’s War’, ‘The Midsomer Murders’), with the late American troubadour, Tim Rose guesting on ‘The Snows’. The band’s take on classic songs such as this, ‘Blackwater Side’, ‘Rosemary Lane’, ‘Geordie’ and ‘Flash Company’ celebrate not only their tradition but settings in the vein of former interpreters such as Trees (‘The Garden Of Jane Delawney’, ‘On The Shore’) and Ireland’s obscure and cultish Mellow Candle (‘Swaddling Songs’). This high quality release from Market Square comes with extensive biographical details and band photography in a full colour 8-page booklet. TRACK LISTING: 1. Reynadine 2. Rosemary Lane 3. The Drifter 4. Blackwater Side 5. The Snows 6. Lindsay 7. Mirage 8. Medley (The Lamentation of Owen Roe, The Mist Covered Mountains of Home, The Nine Maidens) 9. Geordie 10. Annabel Lee 11. Flash Company 12. Three Fishers