Bold Reynold

Product Information

CHILDREN OF BODOM ‘A Chapter Called Children of Bodom (Final Show in Helsinki Ice Hall 2019)’ Spinefarm Records A collection of traditional style folk songs given fascinating arrangements by David Carroll to whet the appetite of purist traditional folk song fans.

It comes as a surprise that despite a lengthy and distinguished period of involvement in music, David Carroll isn’t a household name, even to folk cognoscenti. His early tenure with folk band Spinning Wheel on the late-70s club’n’college circuit was succeeded by a long career as a fully qualified craftsman making and repairing stringed instruments, supplemented by a steady flow of session work – where over the past four decades he’s met, worked with and gained the friendship and respect of a large number of well-respected top-flight musicians from (mostly) the field of folk. Having appeared in that capacity on several recordings for other artists, David has spent the past few years gathering ideas to make a solo album in his own right while calling in the services of a whole cluster of those illustrious friends. By all accounts, all such contributions were most enthusiastically garnered. This comes through in the evident bonhomie – and natural-born expertise – of the playing (in other words, you don’t ever get the sense that they are just a competent, efficient bunch of hired session musicians). The positively ear-watering roll-call speaks for itself – two members of Fairport Convention ( Chris Leslie and Dave Pegg), three from Gryphon ( Brian Gulland, Dave Oberle and Graeme Taylor), and Tom Spencer (from The Men They Couldn’t Hang and The Professionals), plus fine vocalist Lucy Cooper. They call it “a fusion of friends” and old pals they are indeed, David Carroll who used to roll with SPINNING WHEEL and has called recently on the members of FAIRPORT CONVENTION and GRYPHON – Dave Pegg and Chris Leslie from the former collective plus Dave Oberlé, Graeme Taylor and Brian Gulland from the latter – as well as THE PROFESSIONALS’ Tom Spencer, also known from THE MAN THEY COULDN’T HANG, and Lucy Cooper to assist him in recording a debut solo album. Titled “Bold Reynold” and scheduled for release on January 20th, 2023, it presents a stunning sonic panorama wrapping a nice selection of traditional fare, “The Battle” from THE STRAWBS repertoire and “The Last Leviathan”: the Andy Barnes’ anti-whaling piece which displays the ensemble’s epic leanings. Themes of nature and freedom are explored in The Corncrake and the song from which the album title is taken The Greenmore Hare. There is also a powerful version of Four Loom Weaver the 19th century lament about the Lancashire cotton famine. Actually, it were the renowned players that offered Carroll, a part of Oberle’s THE BEAGLES since 2009, their help in striking on his own as a recording artist, rather than session facilitator and maker of stringed instruments David’s been for decades, and taking his guitar, Uilleann pipes, Appalachian dulcimer, bouzouki and mandolin to the fore. The results, as one can judge by the sample below, are fantastic (read the review) – and what’s more fantastic, the second volume of “Bold Reynold” seems to be in the works now.

Lyrics

They’ve got bold Reynold by the brush and will not let him go. Fairport Convention sing Reynard the Fox When you see “and friends” in a billing you tend to think of a group of worthy but unknown local musicians. On Bold Reynold, however, the friends include three Gryphons: Dave Oberle, Brian Gulland and Graeme Taylor; two Fairports: Chris Leslie and Dave Pegg plus Lucy Cooper and Tom Spencer. David himself is a veteran of the 70s with a career including instrument making and innumerable groups, which is presumably where he made such good friends.

On Tuesday 7 February the Official Charts Company in partnership with English Folk Expo revealed the Top 40 best-selling and most streamed folk albums released in the January reporting period in the UK. The chart is first announced to the public at 7pm GMT as part of the Official Folk Albums Chart Show presented by Folk on Foot via their YouTube channel. A strong feminist theme runs throughout the album including in their treatment of the traditional songs. I Never Will Marry and Hares on the Mountains. But there is also the lively Appalachian feel of Fall on My Knees. Ending with a cover of the Eurythmics Sweet Dreams this is an album full of surprises. The services of renowned Gryphon, Fairport, The Professionals and The Men They Couldn’t Hang members provide accomplished support on the album. Any criticisms I have expressed are mere niggles (and personal idiosyncrasies) because Bold Reynold is an absolutely splendid album and I commend it to you whole-heartedly.David Carroll spent much of the 1970s in vans travelling the country earning a crust from the then buoyant folk club and college circuits with folk band Spinning Wheel. The advent of punk led to a lessening of interest in older forms of music, so to supplement a waning income, a qualification in stringed instrument making and repair was gained, leading to a long and successful career in the musical instrument industry. Several bands, duos and solo performances followed over the years, as well as a steady flow of both live and studio session work on instruments as diverse as uilleann pipes and appalachian dulcimer as well as the more normal guitar, bouzouki and mandolin. After appearing on numerous recordings for other people the idea of a solo album fermented over several years and, bolstered by offers of help from many good friends (including all the above!) the ideas and arrangements finally surfaced in 2022. Take off his head likewise his brush and give him three Hurrays. The Young Tradition sing The Foxhunt

The traditional ballad False True Love is a fine start to the album and this is followed by another classic folk song She Moved Through the Fair, inspired here by the street singing of Margaret Barry. THIS interesting collection was the brainchild of David Carroll, who has actively immersed himself in the delights of traditional music for the past half a century or so as both a performer and instrument maker.Archie Churchill-Moss is one of the best young squeezebox players around, known for his work with Moore Moss Rutter and his duo with Tom Moore. This playful debut solo album is a chance for him to explore his creative potential and really showcase what he can do. From 2 January we’ll be featuring significant albums reviewed 2003-2023 in our featured album sequences as part of GRTR!@20 THE latest offering from Thomas Ruf’s admirable blues-based label focuses attention on the exuberant musical exploits of St Louis singer-guitarist Jeremiah Johnson.

Bold Reynolds / Reynard the Fox / Gentlemen of High Renown / The Foxhunt / Old Snowball (Roud 190) Mainly Norfolk: English SINCE their debut album Tidings in 2020 this Yorkshire-based female band have had some changes of line-up but the current trio of Bella Gaffney, Holly Brandon and Kate Griffin still offer an exciting combination of superb harmonies and instrumentals. On Tuesday 7 February the Official Charts Company in partnership with English Folk Expo reveal the Top 40 best-selling and most streamed folk albums released in the January reporting period in the UK. The chart is first announced to the public at 7pm GMT as part of the Official Folk Albums Chart Show presented by Folk on Foot via their YouTube channel. JETHRO TULL ‘The Broadsword And The Beast’ (40th Anniversary deluxe 8CD/DVD, four-disc vinyl) Warner Music JANICE BURNS and Jon Doran are a young folk duo who met while studying at Newcastle University. Having released an EP two years ago this debut album uses mainly traditional songs to explore our relationship with nature and themes of love and loss.

Fatea Showcase Sessions

LIZZY HARDINGHAM is a young folk singer-songwriter who burst onto the folk scene in 2019 prior to the pandemic. Her latest studio album of self-penned songs explores the relationship between music and mental health. Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook. The second CD features an extensive jam dubbed Silver And Gold, featuring an annoying flute player.