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Swan-Upmanship
Old Swan Band
Wild Goose WGS 320 CD 2004
The Old Swan Band are John Adams - trombone, fiddle;
Martin Brinsford - percussion; Paul Burgess - fiddle;
Fi Fraser - fiddle; Jo Freya - Tenor Saxophone, whistle; Neil Gledhill - bass saxophone; Flos
Headford - fiddle; Heather Horsley - keyboard.
In 1995, I concluded my sleeve notes to the Old Swan Band's compilation CD Still Swanning … by saying 'The
Old Swan Band was the leader of the pack'. Ten years later, with the issue of their new CD, I see no reason to change
my opinion. To the CD's sub-title 'Memorable Tunes with Sensible Titles' should be added 'Played Properly', for this
is an object lesson in how to play English dance music. True, there are tunes here from Ireland, Australia, Sweden and
America as well as from England, but, as you should well know, it's the way you play 'em.
An immensely enjoyable album is of a working dance band with a well-played-in repertoire who enjoy what they are doing
and do it well. This is no CD that could be used in place of a band - hardly any of the tracks are dance length and
often we only get twice through each tune. It doesn't matter - this is a studio version of the Old Swan Band's current
repertoire and a clear example of 'what you hear is what you get'. This is a great dance band, all the tunes are memorable
and they have all got sensible titles. One final word of praise for the percussion work of Martin Brinsford - spot on
every time, and each track different. Wonderful!
From an article and review by Dan Quinn in
Musical Traditions:The Internet Music Magazine.
dated 18 August 2005
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The Green-Clad Hills /
Jimmy Garson's March
Jack Robinson /
William Irwin's No 3 /
The Tipputs
Steamboat Hornpipe /
Gloucester Hornpipe
False Start
General Ward /
The Day Room
Winster Gallop /
Four-Hand Reel /
The Dark Girl Dressed in Blue
Church St /
Redwing /
St Mary's
Flowers of Edinburgh /
Soldier's Joy /
Morpeth Rant
Wenlock Edge /
Summer Waltz
Flowers Of Edinburgh
Schottis fran Havero/
Another Fine Mess
'George Green's College Hornpipe'.
Basquet of Oysters and Sally Sloanes
Freedom of Ireland /
Kitchen Girl
Beatrice Hill’s Three-Hand Reel
Ger The Rigger/
Mickey Chewing Bubble Gum
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