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The Alchemist Of Electric Morris
Now here's a true English original.........Ashley Hutchings' remarkable
and incredible contribution to the British Folk Revival has often been compressed into the shorthand, that goes something
like this: Father of Folk-Rock, Alchemist of Electric Morris,The
Guv'nor, founder-member of Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, the many Albion Bands, The Ashley Hutchings All-Stars, The
Ashley Hutchings Big Beat Combo,The Ashley Hutchings Dance Band, and his many solo albums, though even these have many members
of the various bands associated with Ashley. This, however, does not even begin to detail the full scope of his accomplishments.
Ashleys' enormous importance and contribution, as band-leader, arranger, musician, and above all popularist of English-based
folk music is centred upon his own particular blend of tradition and innovation.
Ashley Hutchings was born on 26th January 1945,in Southgate, Middlesex, and spent his early years in the Muswell Hill area of North London.
His father, Leonard, was a pianist with his own dance band - Leonard Hutchings and His Embassy Five. The young Hutchings followed
his passionate interest in all forms of popular music. During the early sixties he led a number of short-lived groups - the
Still Waters, the Blue Reeds, Dr. K's Blues Band, Tim Turner's Narration and the Ethnic Shuffle Orchestra. Skiffle, R'n'B
and the singer-songwriters of North America provided the repertoire for the early bands that eventually became Fairport Convention,
or as rumour had it, very nearly, Electric Rhutabaga.......
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A Word In Your Ear
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These five albums, four compliations, plus a live recording done on the occasion of Ashley Hutchings'
50th birthday, comprise a very clear over-view of his career, and we feel a good place for the first time listener to
start. Ashley's body of work is huge, but at the same time, the integrity and the quality of the work remains constant throughout.
We here, at Albion's Music, are in the process of creating a full website in regards to Ashley Hutchings,
and we hope you'll visit us there, as well, the link can be found via the photograph of Ashley, at the top of the page. There
is much still to do, both here and on the aforementioned site, plus work is underway on websites about what we consider to
be the important albums in Ashley's career:
and other plain capers
other links to other sites
relating to Ashley can be found
on the Along The Downs page
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| HTD Records HTD CD 23 1994 |
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| HTD Records HTD CD 29 |
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| HTD Records HTD CD 38 |
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| HTD Records HTD CD 66 1996 |
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| HTD Records HTD CD 39 1995 |
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