The Albion Band, also known as The Albion Country Band, The Albion Dance Band, and The Albion Christmas Band, were a British folk rock band, originally brought together and led by musician

Ashley Hutchings Ashley Stephen Hutchings, MBE, sometimes known in early years by his nickname, "Tyger" Hutchings (born 26 January 1945) is an English bassist, vocalist, songwriter, arranger, band leader, writer and record producer. He was a founding member of t ...

. Generally considered one of the most important groupings in the genre, it has contained or been associated with a large proportion of major English folk performers in its long and fluid history. The one constant in the band's history has been the band leader Ashley Hutchings, founding member of two other English folk rock groupings

Fairport Convention Fairport Convention are an English folk rock band, formed in 1967 by guitarists Richard Thompson and Simon Nicol, bassist Ashley Hutchings and drummer Shaun Frater (with Frater replaced by Martin Lamble after their first gig.) They started o ...

and

Steeleye Span Steeleye Span are a British folk rock band formed in 1969 in England by Fairport Convention bass player Ashley Hutchings and established London folk club duo Tim Hart and Maddy Prior. The band were part of the 1970s British folk revival, and we ...

, and it has been the home for most of the projects of his long career, though in the 2011 incarnation of the band he has handed over the reins to his son Blair Dunlop.

History

Origins

Initially Hutchings formed the band in April 1971 to accompany his then wife the singer Shirley Collins on her '' No Roses'' album. Dave Mattacks, Richard Thompson and Simon Nicol (from Fairport Convention), Lal and Mike Waterson (of The Watersons) and Maddy Prior, were among twenty five credited backing musicians. On a short tour, core members were joined by Richard Thompson and his then wife

Linda Thompson Linda Diane Thompson (born May 23, 1950) is an American songwriter, former actress and beauty pageant winner. Thompson began her acting career as a " Hee Haw Honey" on the American television variety show '' Hee Haw''. She was also a girlfrien ...

. Several members contributed with Hutchings to the project ''

Morris On ''Morris On'' is a folk/rock album released in 1972 under the joint names of Ashley Hutchings, Richard Thompson, Dave Mattacks, John Kirkpatrick and Barry Dransfield. Like the subsequent "Descendant Of" Morris On albums (see below), it feat ...

'' (1972), including John Kirkpatrick, Richard Thompson and Dave Mattacks, and cumbersomely all their names appeared on the album cover.

First album (1973)

Hutchings was keen to make a permanent band from these musicians and the first attempt included Royston Wood, Steve Ashley and Sue Draheim in the line-up, but the group failed to gel and he recruited a second band, turning to

Martin Carthy Martin Carthy MBE (born 21 May 1941) is an English folk singer and guitarist who has remained one of the most influential figures in British traditional music, inspiring contemporaries such as Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, and later artists such as ...

, John Kirkpatrick, Sue Harris, Roger Swallow and Simon Nicol. The band remained fragile and split in August 1973, but an album was released retrospectively under the title '' Battle of the Field'', on

Island Records Island Records is a multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded in 1959 by Chris Blackwell, Graeme Goodall, and Leslie Kong in Jamaica, and was eventually sold to PolyGram in 1989. Island and A&M Records, anoth ...

in 1976. Other material recorded by this line-up eventually appeared on the later ''BBC Sessions'' CD (1998).

The Albion Dance Band

From 1974 to 1975, Hutchings abandoned the Albion name and focused on forming the Etchingham Steam Band with his wife Shirley Collins. However, in 1976 he pulled together a new Albion Band, this time with the aim of playing traditional dance music. It had a huge and unstable membership that included Simon Nicol, Graeme Taylor from Gryphon, the

early music Early music generally comprises Medieval music (500–1400) and Renaissance music (1400–1600), but can also include Baroque music (1600–1750). Originating in Europe, early music is a broad musical era for the beginning of Western classical m ...

ians Phil Pickett and

John Sothcott John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...

, fiddle player Ric Sanders, plus John Tams, one of folk music’s most distinctive and highly regarded vocalists. The immediate result was a lively traditional based album ''

The Prospect Before Us ''The Prospect Before Us'' is a British folk rock album, by The Albion Band, The Albion Dance Band, which was released in 1977 on the Harvest Records, EMI Harvest label. The album was produced by Ashley Hutchings and Simon Nicol and was engine ...

'' under the name The Albion Dance Band. In 1978 they shortened the name to The Albion Band (which has remained the basis of the group’s identity since) and released, under Tams' direction, what is usually considered the finest album in the long history of the band ''

Rise Up Like the Sun ''Rise Up Like the Sun'' is a British folk rock album released in 1978 by The Albion Band. The album is in part a collaboration between John Tams on vocals and melodeon and Ashley Hutchings on electric bass. This is not the first album on whi ...

'' (1978).

Shows

The band took part in a 1977 TV show ''Here We Come A-Wassailing'' and in 1978–9 collaborated with playwright Keith Dewhurst for a stage adaptation of British author Flora Thompson’s '' Lark Rise to Candleford'', tracks from which were released as an album in 1980. In fact, while one line up of the band was working on the latter project at the National Theatre, Hutchings took a different line up on the road for a UK tour in the early summer of 1979. That version of The Albion Band featured

Melanie Harrold Melanie Harrold (born 5 May 1951) is a British singer-songwriter, best known for her 1970s albums for DJM (''Fancy That'' and ''Blue Angel'') plus recording with Gerry Rafferty, and singing with Hank Wangford.In her early career, and even for h ...

on acoustic guitar and vocals, Barry Dransfield on fiddle, dulcimer and vocals, Ashley Hutchings on bass, Dave Mattacks on drums, Martin Simpson on guitar and banjo, and two electric guitarists, Andy Roberts and Doug Morter. The Albion Band was probably at the height of its mainstream profile at this point, with the single "Poor Old Horse" (a track from Rise Up Like the Sun) being selected as a "Record of the Week" on BBC Radio 1 and the band getting its own BBC '' Arena'' documentary that explored their work. While Hutchings was more interested in pursuing theatrical possibilities, many members of the band wanted to be a touring and recording band and, despite critical acclaim, this line-up split. Tams, Taylor and Gregory went on to form the nucleus of Home Service. Live material from this period has been released in ''Songs from the Shows'' (1997 and 1999) and ''The Guvnor'', Vols 1-4 (1996–2004).

Reformation and stability (1980–1990)

Hutchings reformed the band around the nucleus of the remaining ex-Fairporters Nicol and Mattacks. He added three members of Cock and Bull (Dave Whetstone, Jean-Pierre Rasle and John Maxwell) and for the first time on record, opted for a lead female vocalist in

Cathy Lesurf Cathy Lesurf (born 1953) is a British folk music singer-songwriter who was brought up in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. She has been a member of bands in the 1970s such as Oyster Ceilidh Band, Fiddler's Dram, and The Albion Band. She released a solo al ...

of the

Oyster Band Oysterband (originally The Oyster Band) is a British folk rock and folk punk band formed in Canterbury around 1976. History Early history The band formed in parallel to Fiddler's Dram, and under the name "Oyster Ceilidh Band" played purely as ...

, whose tones characterize most recordings from this era. An album from this relatively stable period was ''Light Shining'' (1983), on which most of the tracks were original material. However, the reputation of the album has since been marred by accusations that Hutchings plagiarized one of its songs, "Wolfe," from "Northwest Passage" by Canadian folksinger

Stan Rogers Stanley Allison Rogers (November 29, 1949 – June 2, 1983) was a Canadian folk musician and songwriter. Rogers was noted for his rich, baritone voice and his traditional-sounding songs which were frequently inspired by Canadian history and th ...

. ''Shuffle Off'' (1983) followed, after which Nicol and Mattacks left to reform Fairport Convention. Phil Beer on guitar/fiddle/vocals, Doug Morter on guitar/vocals and

Trevor Foster Trevor John French Foster MBE (3 December 1914 – 2 April 2005) was a Welsh rugby footballer, and coach. He played rugby union for Newport and rugby league for Bradford Northern. Trevor Foster was a Sergeant Physical Training Instructor in t ...

on drums joined the band, and ''Under the Rose'' (1984), ''A Christmas Present From The Albion Band'' (1985) and ''The Wild Side of Town'' (1987) followed, the last of which was based on a five-part BBC television series presented by Chris Baines. The line-up then shifted with Martin Bell joining on violin before the release of ''Stella Maris'' in (1987). Martin Bell and Cathy Lesurf then left and the group were joined by Simon Care and John Shepherd. This was the most stable lineup in the band's history in terms of albums, producing three: ''I Got New Shoes'' (1988), ''Give Me a Saddle and I'll Trade you a Car'' (1989) and ''1990'' in the year of that name.

Acoustic period (1990–97)

In 1990 they were joined by singer-songwriter and instrumentalist

Julie Matthews Julie Matthews (born 1963) is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. She has been a member of some of the most influential British folk duos and groups and is acknowledged internationally as a major songwriter ...

, but although they toured they produced no albums before her departure in 1993. Some sessions from this line-up surfaced as ''Captured'' in 1995. Trevor Foster and Phil Beer left and were temporarily replaced by virtuoso acoustic guitarist Keith Hinchliffe shifting the emphasis away from electric instruments. In 1993 Hutchings decided to follow this trend turning the band into a small four piece unit comprising himself, Julie Matthews' replacement Chris While, original member Simon Nicol, and Ashley Reed on violin. This allowed them to play small folk club, pub and college venues and gave the Band a whole new direction, now drawing on contemporary songwriters like

Beth Nielsen Chapman Beth Nielsen Chapman (born September 14, 1958) is an American singer and songwriter who has written hits for Country music, country and pop music performers. She was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2016. Nielsen Chapman ...

and

Steve Knightley Steve Knightley (born 1954) is an English singer, songwriter and acoustic musician. Since 1992 he has been one half of folk/roots duo Show of Hands along with Phil Beer. Knightley was named "Songwriter of the Nineties" by BBC Radio 6 Music in ...

as well as the internal songwriting talent of While and Hutchings. The first studio album of this period '' Acousticity'' (1993) had a more lively and contemporary feel, aided by Reed’s energetic playing. In 1995 Reed left and Matthews returned to the band to add her vocal, instrumental and songwriting talents. The resulting album, ''

Albion Heart ''Albion Heart'', released in 1995, was the second album of the long running Albion Band's acoustic phase and the first to contain both Chris While and Julie Matthews, marking the beginning of their highly successful collaboration. It benefits fr ...

'' (1995), is usually considered the best of this later period and marked the beginning of While and Matthews’ long and productive partnership. It was also unusual for the lack of traditional folk instruments and the four were soon joined by violinist and mandolin player Chris Leslie for the last recording of this era ''Demi Paradise'' (1996), before Leslie left for Fairport Convention and While and Matthews for solo and joint projects. Live performances of this era have been released as ''Acousticity on Tour'' (2004) and ''Albion Heart on Tour'' (2004).

Multi-generational phase (1997–2002)

The last phase of the full band would be based around a return to a more traditional rock format and the incorporation of two generations of musicians. Hutchings called in experienced guitarist and writer Ken Nicol and added newcomers Joe Broughton on fiddle and Neil Marshall on drums. Female vocals were supplied by Kellie While and Gillie Nicholls, who were guests on the first studio album of this era, ''Happy Accident'' (1998). Gillie Nicolls was a full member of the band for the second outing ''Before Us Stands Yesterday'' (1999), but was then replaced by Kellie While for the recording of ''The Christmas Album'' later that year and for ''Road Movies'' (2001), their last studio project. Ken Nicol left to be replaced by Pete Zorn, but it was becoming increasingly hard to find venues of a suitable size and in 2002 it was decided to suspend the band. Their 1999 album '' Ridgeriders'' also saw them reunite with former members of the band.

Albion Christmas

While Hutchings continued to pursue other projects he revived the Albion Band in an acoustic format for seasonal tours in 2005, allowing them to play smaller venues which could usually be easily filled. The line-up is based around Simon Nicol, Kellie While and multi-instrumentalist Simon Care. The results have been three further seasonal albums: ''An Albion Christmas'' (2005),'' Winter Songs'' (2006), and ''Snow on Snow'' (2008). A fourth album ''Traditional'' (2009) is a compilation of tracks from the preceding three which excludes spoken word recordings.

The Albion Band reborn

In July 2011, Hutchings announced that the Albion Band would be forming again, and for the first time he himself would not be a member. Instead he passed the baton to his son – the guitarist and singer Blair Dunlop. This new line-up also features a number of other current folk performers from a range of backgrounds reflecting earlier versions of the Albion Band. These members include Folk Award nominee Katriona Gilmore (Tiny Tin Lady, Gilmore/Roberts) on fiddle and vocals, vocalist, concertina player and guitarist Gavin Davenport (Crucible, Glorystrokes, Hekety), drummer Tom Wright (Eliza Carthy projects/Glorystrokes), and Tim Yates ( Blackbeard's Tea Party/The QP) on bass - only the second bass player in the band's history, and lead guitarist and relative newcomer Benjamin Trott. This line-up released an own label EP ''Fighting Room'' in 2011 and their first studio album ''Vice of the People'' in 2012. On 10 January 2014, Dunlop announced the friendly dissolution of the band "in the current incarnation", to allow its members to pursue individual projects. In his letter, he stated that they will undoubtedly work together in the future.

Band members

Past members include: * Steve Ashley - harmonica, whistle, vocals (1972) * Francis Baines - hurdy-gurdy (1971) * Phil Beer - vocals, guitar, mandolin, violin (1984–1991) * Martin Bell - vocals, violin, synthesizer (1986–1987) * Dave Bland - concertina (1971) * Joe Broughton - violin (1997–2002) * Pete Bullock - piano, synthesizer, saxophone, clarinet (1977–1981) *

Bill Caddick Lewis Frederick William Caddick (27 June 1944 – 19 November 2018) was an English folk singer-songwriter and guitarist, particularly noted for his songwriting and as a member of the innovative and influential group Home Service. Career outli ...

- vocals, triangle (1979–1981, died 2018) * Simon Care - concertina, melodeon (1988–1992) *

- vocals, guitar (1973, 1978–1980) * Alan Cave - bassoon (1971) * Dolly Collins - piano (1971; died 1995) * Shirley Collins - vocals (1971, 1976–1977, 1978–1980) * Lol Coxhill - saxophone (1971; died 2012) * Trevor Crozier - Jew's harp (1971) * Sue Draheim - violin (1972; died 2013) * Barry Dransfield - violin, dulcimer, vocals (1971, 1979) * Howard Evans - trumpet (1978–1981; died 2006) *

- drums (1983–1991) * Michael Gregory - drums (1976–1981) * Tony Hall - melodeon (1971) * Sue Harris - oboe, hammered dulcimer, vocals (1973) *

- flute organ, guitar, vocals (1979) * Keith Hinchcliffe - guitar (1992) * Eric Hine - keyboards (1987) *

- bass guitar, vocals (1971–2002) * Nic Jones - violin (1971) * John Kirkpatrick - vocals, concertina, melodeon, accordion (1971, 1973, 1979–1980) * Chris Leslie - vocals, violin (1995–1996) *

- vocals (1982–1988) * Alan Lumsden - ophicleide (1971) * Neil Marshall - drums (1998–2002) * Dave Mattacks - drums, keyboards (1971–1972, 1976–1978, 1979, 1983) *

- vocals, keyboards, guitar (1991–1992, 1995–1997) * John Maxwell - vocals, drums, percussion (1982–1983; died 2001) * Steve Migden - French horn (1971) * Doug Morter - guitar, vocals (1979–1980, 1983–1985) * Gillie Nicholls - vocals, guitar (1998–1999) * Ken Nicol - vocals, guitar (1998–2002) * Simon Nicol - vocals, guitar (1971–1978, 1982–1983, 1993–1996) * Philip Pickett - recorder, shawms, crumhorn, bagpipes (1976–1979) * Roger Powell - drums (1971) * Maddy Prior - vocals (1971) * Brian Protheroe - keyboards, vocals (1979–1981) * Jean-Pierre Rasle - recorder, crumhorn, bagpipes (1982–1983) * Ashley Reed - violin, vocals (1993–1994) * Tim Renwick - guitar (1971) * Andy Roberts - electric guitar, vocals (1979) * John Rodd - concertina (1976–1977) * Colin Ross - northumbrian small pipes (1971; died 2019) * Ric Sanders - violin (1977–1979) * Steve Saunders - trombone (1979–1980) * John Shepherd - keyboards (1988–1990) * Martin Simpson - banjo, guitar, vocals (1979-1980) * John Sothcott - vielle, crumhorn, citole (1976–1977) * Roger Swallow - drums (1972–1973) * John Tams - vocals, melodeon (1976–1981) * Graeme Taylor - guitar (1976–1981) *

- vocals (1972) * Richard Thompson - guitar (1971, 1972) * Eddie Upton - vocals, caller (1976–1977) * John Watcham - concertina (1972, with the Albion Morris Men) * Lal Waterson - vocals (1971; died 1998) * Mike Waterson - vocals (1971; died 2011) * Dave Whetstone - vocals, concertina, melodeon, guitar (1982–1984) * Chris While - vocals, guitar (1993–1997) * Kellie While - vocals, guitar (1999–2002) * Ian Whiteman - piano (1971) *

Royston Wood The Young Tradition were an English folk group of the 1960s, formed by Peter Bellamy, Royston Wood and Heather Wood. They recorded three albums of mainly traditional British folk music, sung in arrangements for their three unaccompanied voices ...

- vocals, percussion (1971, 1972; died 1990) * Pete Zorn - saxophone, vocals (2002; died 2016)

Discography

Singles

*"Hopping Down in Kent" b/w "Merry Sherwood Rangers" (Harvest HAR 5113, 3 Sep 1976) *"The Postman's Knock" b/w "La Sexte Estampie Real" (Harvest HAR 5128, 1977) *"Poor Old Horse" b/w "Ragged Heroes" (Harvest HAR 5156, 1978) *"Pain and Paradise" b/w "Lay Me Low" (Harvest HAR 5175, 1979) *"Wings" (1998)

Albums

;As the Albion Country Band *'' No Roses'' (Pegasus PEG-7, 1971) with Shirley Collins *'' Battle of the Field'' (Island Records HELP 25, 1976) ;As the Albion Dance Band *''

'' (Harvest SHSP 4059, 1977) *''Shuffle Off'' (Spindrift Records SPIN 103, 1983) *''I Got New Shoes'' (Making Waves SPIN 132, 1987) *''Dancing Days Are Here Again'' (Talking Elephant, 2007) *''Rockin' Barn Dance'' (Talking Elephant, 2009) ;As the Albion Band *''

'' (Harvest SHSP 4092, 1978) *''Lark Rise to Candleford'' (Charisma CDS 4020, 1980) (credited to Keith Dewhurst & The Albion Band; "Various Artists" on the record label) *''Light Shining'' (Albino ALB 001, 1983) *''Under The Rose'' (Spindrift Records SPIN 110, 1984) *''A Christmas Present from the Albion Band'' (Fun/Tracer, 1985) *''Stella Maris'' (Making Waves SPIN 130, 1987) *''The Wild Side of Town'' (Celtic Music CM 042, 1987) - with Chris Baines *''Give Me A Saddle, I'll Trade You A Car'' (Topic 12TS454, 1989) *''1990'' (Topic 12TS457, 1990) *''Songs from the Shows, v. 1'' (Albino, 1990) *''Songs from the Shows, v. 2'' (Albino, 1991) *''Live in Concert'' (BBC, 1993) *'' Acousticity'' (HTD/Transatlantic, 1993) *''Captured'' (HTD, 1995) *''

'' (Making Waves, 1995) *''Demi Paradise'' (HTD, 1996) *''Live At The Cambridge Folk Festival'' (BBC/Strange Fruit, 1996) *''The Acoustic Years: 1993-1997'' (Castle, 1997) *''Songs From The Shows'' (Road Goes On Forever, 1997) *''Happy Accident'' (HTD/Transatlantic, 1998) *''The BBC Sessions'' (BBC/Strange Fruit, 1998) *''Along The Pilgrim's Way'' (Mooncrest, 1998) *''The Best of 89/90'' (HTD 1998) *''Albion Sunrise—HTD Recordings: 1994-1999'' (HTD, 1999) *''Albion Heart'' (HTD 1999) *''Before Us Stands Yesterday'' (HTD, 1999) *''Christmas Album'' (HTD, 1999) *''The HTD Years'' (HTD, 2000) *''Road Movies'' (Topic, 2001) *''An Evening with The Albion Band'' (Talking Elephant, 2002) *''No Surrender'' (Snapper Music, 2003) *''Acousticity on Tour'' (Talking Elephant, 2004) *''Albion Heart on Tour'' (Talking Elephant, 2004) *''Albion Sunrise - HTD Recordings: 1994-1999'' (HTD, 2004) *''The Albion Band Live in Concert'' (Talking Elephant, 2007) *''Vintage Albion Band'' (Talking Elephant, 2007) *''Natural and Wild'' (Talking Elephant, 2009) *''Vintage II On The Road 1972-1980'' (Talking Elephant, 2010) *''Another Christmas Present'' (Talking Elephant, 2010) *''Fighting Room'' (own label, 2011) *''Vice of the People'' (Powered Flight Music, 2012) ;As the Albion Christmas Band (Ashley Hutchings, Simon Nicol, Simon Care, Kellie While) *''An Albion Christmas'' (Talking Elephant, 2003) *''Winter Songs'' (Talking Elephant, 2006) *''Snow On Snow'' (Talking Elephant, 2008) *''Traditional'' (Talking Elephant, 2009) compilation of tracks from the previous three albums, excluding spoken word recordings *''A Sound In The Frosty Air'' (Rooksmere Records, 2011) *''One For The Road'' (Rooksmere Records, 2014) *''Magic Touch'' (Talking Elephant, 2016) *''All Are Safely Gathered In'' (Talking Elephant, 2022) ;Other names *''

Yuletracks ''Yuletracks'' is a studio album released in 1986. A folk music/ Christmas music project by Greenwich Village Records, various artists appear on the album, led by Martyn Wyndham-Read (who also was co-producer of the album) and Martin Carthy. Tho ...

'' (1986) *'' Ridgeriders'' (1999) the album's band name includes the list of the performers separately, as well as saying ''with The Albion Band and Julie Matthews'' ;Contributing artist *Steve Ashley - ''

Stroll On ''Stroll On'' is the debut album by British singer-songwriter Steve Ashley. It was released in April 1974 in LP format on Gull Records and was critically acclaimed in the UK, being awarded “Contemporary Folk album of the Year” in the leadi ...

'' (Gull Records, 1974) - performing on ''Lord Bateman'' *'' The Rough Guide to English Roots Music'' ( World Music Network 1998)

DVDs

* ''In Search of English Folk Song'' (1997 BBC film directed by

Ken Russell Henry Kenneth Alfred Russell (3 July 1927 – 27 November 2011) was a British film director, known for his pioneering work in television and film and for his flamboyant and controversial style. His films in the main were liberal adaptation ...

) featuring Fairport Convention,

Donovan Donovan Phillips Leitch (born 10 May 1946), known mononymously as Donovan, is a Scottish musician, songwriter, and record producer. He developed an eclectic and distinctive style that blended folk, jazz, pop, psychedelic rock and world mus ...

Osibisa Osibisa are a Ghanaian-British Afro-Rock band founded in London in the late 1960s by four expatriate West African and three London based Caribbean musicians. Osibisa were the most successful and longest lived of the African-heritage bands in ...

, Eliza Carthy, The Albion Band, Waterson–Carthy and

Edward II Edward II (25 April 1284 – 21 September 1327), also called Edward of Caernarfon, was King of England and Lord of Ireland from 1307 until he was deposed in January 1327. The fourth son of Edward I, Edward became the heir apparent to t ...

. Reissued on DVD in 2008, but for Region 1 only

References

External links

Talking Elephant Albion Band Page
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Albion Country Band, The 1971 establishments in England 2014 disestablishments in England Ashley Hutchings English folk musical groups Musical groups established in 1971 Musical groups disestablished in 2014 British folk rock groups Harvest Records artists Charisma Records artists Transatlantic Records artists Topic Records artists