Lost
album from Peel favourite finally gets released. Fourteen tracks of
post-Dylan, literary folk.
We all love a lost
album story don't we, usually those featuring shelved classics such
as The Beach Boys' Smile or Dylan & The Band's Basement
Tapes. Though not as well known as those artists,
singer-songwriter Beau occupies a pretty hip position within the
parameters of Brit-folk, as having recorded the very first release on
John Peel's Dandelion label. This 7” single, '1917 Revolution',
was followed by two well-received albums for Dandelion.
A third album was
recorded at Tractor Sound Studios in Heywood Lancashire. Before Beau
could secure a release for this album real life intervened, prompting
promotion at work and the relocation of his family. The recordings
were shelved, perhaps not forgotten about, but certainly not listened
to.
Fast forward 38 years
to the digital age and a random blog post about Beau sees connections
and deals made. The “lost” third album gets a release courtesy of
The Sound Of Salvation label. Featuring simply Beau's singular voice
and trademark twelve-string acoustic guitar, the music lies somewhere
in Dylan's long shadow. Traditional folk song forms with a sometimes
political, sometimes introspective bent it owes much his Bobness'
Another Side Of album.
Though very much a
product of its era, it's aged pretty well. There's a Donovan-esque
naïvety on some tracks that today's smug smart arses might scoff at
but that's part of its charm. And the sparse arrangements let you
soak up the lyrics, which what the record is really about. Wordy,
literate, informative and as beneficial as a slow release pill.
Subject matter is diverse, ranging from colonialism, war, industrial
action as well as the problems of Leeds' drainage system. There's
also room for a love song or two. Give it a listen on a relaxed,
balmy summer evening with a glass of something nice and it will all
make sense. Beau is still making music so go catch him at a gig if
you get the chance.
Click here for Beau's website.
Click here for The Sounds Of Salvation website.
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