A.L. Lloyd Albums (3)
'English Drinking Songs'
Release Date 11/10/1998
Tracks 14
Label Topic
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
A collection of songs from widely differing periods and places, all sung (with vocal backup from an unnamed group) by the inimitable A.L. Lloyd, who also annotated the pieces. Some of the pieces are presented in variant versions here -- "The Foggy Dew," for example, has none of the usual sentimentality, while this version of "Maggie Mae" is as prosaic as any you will find -- and others are performed in as bawdy a manner as could be managed in 1961. This is a splendid collection that is well worth seeking out. Lloyd's contributions to the folk revival of the 1950s and 1960s are beyond value. Aspiring traditionalists would be well served in making a point of collecting the Topic CD releases. ~ Steven E. McDonald, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
No one is likely to accuse this collection of suffering from a surfeit of wit and good humor -- whaling was a cold, difficult, and ugly business even after the arrival of mechanization. Lloyd set up this resounding collection with the assistance of long-time associate Alf Edwards on concertina and ocarina; supporting the two of them are Dave Swarbrick on fiddle and Martin Carthy on mandolin, with Trevor Lucas and Martyn Wyndham-Reade acting as a vocal chorus on some songs. As always, Lloyd is in fine -- and distinctive -- voice. His arrangement and production of the songs dispenses with formal organization, allowing for accidents and rough edges while maintaining the audio quality. The result is an interestingly intimate texture -- at times, it feels almost as though Lloyd and company are present in the flesh: a real common-room atmosphere. This remastered reissue is highly recommended. ~ Steven McDonald, All Music Guide
