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Elly Roberts reviews
Devon based The Madding Crowd should be appearing alongside luminaries suchas Fairport Convention, Kate Rusby et al.
Such is their undeniable credibility, and an appearance at the annual CropredyConvention would raise their profile significantly. Theyve been togetheralmost a decade now, so its time they raised their profile.
This formidable 21 century folk-combo comprising principle songwriters ofhusband and wife Hannah Power (lead vox) and Phil Power (rhythm guitar vocalharmony), Phils brother Anthony Power (bass), and Graham Crocker(acousticguitar/ slide guitar/ harmony vox), they have released a delightful 4 trackEP addictionary.
Theres also back-up musicians James Crocker (drums/mastering), and violinistSam Cooper.
This collection is simply divine at every level, despite some difficultissues being addressed. Songwriting shows great strength and depth, mostlypersonal observations, all enveloped in the sweetest melodies youre boundto hear anyway these days.
Songs range from the painful observation of an alcoholic friend who washankering after an unsuitable fella Marys Lover. The music is surprisinglybright and breezy considering the despair involved, though there is amelancholic edge with violin sweeping throughout the track.
From The Sun, is Hannahs battle with her smoking addiction, as shefaces the darkness. Her vocals shine through as she conveys her efforts,accompanied by the finger-picking prowess of Graham Crocker and vocal backups.
Relationship breakdowns are cannon fodder for musicians to explore. TMCtackle the perennial problem of lack of communication on Turn To Mewith great empathy and soul-searching, again with Hannahs impassioned singingresonating throughout, textured beautifully by Graham Crockers slide guitar.
These Words is a song about the power of words all handled withgreat care, as they try to get the message over, to who ever, as theresno specific reference.
The Madding Crowd has supported Al Stewart, Martyn Carthy, Kathryn Tickell,Colin Blunstone, Julie Felix, Roy Harper, Roy Wood.
Tracks:
- 1. Marys Lover
- 2. From The Sun
- 3. Turn To Me
- 4. These Words
Weblink:myspace.com/themaddingcrowdgathering
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Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.