What do you think of this?

[EffFour]

Interesting mandolin from across the Pond - Blacksmith Folk Rock Band

https://youtu.be/MztPoWJyhIA

[Dave Hicks]

Welcome to the Cafe!

I looked at a few videos and liked them quite a bit - this is a type of music I really enjoy. Hopefully, they'll broaden their repertoire to include more material not taken from the 60s/70s bands.

D.H.

[Jim Garber]

Welcome to the Cafe!

I looked at a few videos and liked them quite a bit - this is a type of music I really enjoy. Hopefully, they'll broaden their repertoire to include more material not taken from the 60s/70s bands.

D.H.

Certainly cuts nicely into that folk-rock genre which, I am guessing, everyone except maybe the vocalist grew up with.

[journeybear]

Pleasant enough, though not breaking any new ground. I, too, hope they can grow beyond covering Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span.

Sounds like the female vocalist actually did grow up with this music - via her parents. She certainly seems to have based her vocal style on Sandy Denny's.

BTW, the mandolinist spends perhaps more time on the electric violin, judging from the few videos they have up on their channel.

[Gelsenbury]

I enjoyed that! Thank you for the introduction.

[lenf12]

The song, "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?" becomes more and more relevent as we all age, regardless of how old/young we happen to be. This is a lovely remake of the Sandy Denny classic and nice to hear from a fresh new voice. Well done!!!

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[EffFour]

Welcome to the Cafe!

I looked at a few videos and liked them quite a bit - this is a type of music I really enjoy. Hopefully, they'll broaden their repertoire to include more material not taken from the 60s/70s bands.

D.H.

Dave, Glad you liked what you saw! the band was originally formed to evoke the heyday of Fairport,the Liege & Lief days in particular, cut short when Sandy left. It was the intention to broaden the repertoire in time, including own compositions, but here in the UK it is difficult to get into festivals, so bands get their performing experience playings pubs etc where the audiences tend to like to hear covers! Catch 23 maybe?! When you have to spend time polishing covers to keep the set fresh it's difficult to find the time required to arrange & rehearse own compositions

[EffFour]

Journeybear - You are quite right - other than the mandolin point, which is a mix of about 50-50. Kathy was a big fan of Sandy - I don't think she based her style on her intentionally, but when you love a certain type of song/singer I suppose it's inevitable that you take on the nuances of their style. With this song, we were very aware that the original was revered by many listeners so we wanted to stay true to the melody whilst bringing a mandolin line in - added to which pubs in the UK prefer to book covers bands so that their clientele get to hear songs they know!

[Dave Hicks]

Dave, Glad you liked what you saw! the band was originally formed to evoke the heyday of Fairport,the Liege & Lief days in particular, cut short when Sandy left. It was the intention to broaden the repertoire in time, including own compositions, but here in the UK it is difficult to get into festivals, so bands get their performing experience playings pubs etc where the audiences tend to like to hear covers! Catch 23 maybe?! When you have to spend time polishing covers to keep the set fresh it's difficult to find the time required to arrange & rehearse own compositions

You* have really got that approach down well. The band does a great job - you've added to the original arrangements without making major changes. In particular, Kathy captures Sandy's breathy-with-solid-core singing.

D.H.

* I'm guessing you're a member of the band, pardon me if not so.

Edit: And it's good to know you can get gigs with this sort of music!

[JeffD]

And it's good to know you can get gigs with this sort of music!

Yes, that particularly. Playing is one thing. Playing what you love is another. Playing what you love in front of an enthusiastic audience - well that is the best.

[EffFour]

You* have really got that approach down well. The band does a great job - you've added to the original arrangements without making major changes. In particular, Kathy captures Sandy's breathy-with-solid-core singing.

D.H.

* I'm guessing you're a member of the band, pardon me if not so.

Edit: And it's good to know you can get gigs with this sort of music!

Hi Dave,
Yes - fiddle & mandolin! I was interested to have an independent Peer review (not that most folks pull punches online) !

[journeybear]

You are quite right - other than the mandolin point, which is a mix of about 50-50.

Thanks for the illumination, expanding on this point. I wasn't doing any sort of strict statistical analysis, just reporting on what I saw in videos as I explored a bit, trying to get a fuller sense of the band's nature than one clip can provide. Of course, this is impacted by what has been recorded and then uploaded to the web, certainly different from a complete picture.

In case I didn't make it clear, knowing that someone, somewhere - anyone, anywhere - is keeping the Fairport Flame burning is heartwarming. Keep it up!

[EffFour]

In case I didn't make it clear, knowing that someone, somewhere - anyone, anywhere - is keeping the Fairport Flame burning is heartwarming. Keep it up!

What a great sentiment! A man after my own heart!!

[JeffD]

In case I didn't make it clear, knowing that someone, somewhere - anyone, anywhere - is keeping the Fairport Flame burning is heartwarming. Keep it up!

Truth

[Bill Cameron]

I like every thing about this!

Play what you love!

I like the Mando part!

[EffFour]

Thanks Bill, I like everything about your comment!! 😄 !!

[lenf12]

Thanks Bill, I like everything about your comment!! 😄 !!

Great music is "great music"

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[EffFour]

👍 I should really be using my ‘24 F4 for this if I’m posting on this site!!