Folk For Peace, Rumors of Rain
(Hypertension, 2003)
Jugopunch, Cold/A Fiver on the Horses (Jugopunch, 2004)
"Rumours of Rain" was written as a plea of peace by Cathryn Craig and Brian Willoughby. It was recorded by a large group of folk artists, the band including Rod Clements (ex-Lindisfarne), Gerry Conway, Chris Leslie and Rick Sanders, and Rick Kemp, and singers such as Martin Carthy, Benny Gallagher, Nancy Griffiths, Clive Gregson, Jex Lowe, Tom Paxton, Bob Fox and Jez Lowe, to name some of them. The idea, as usual, being that the names will attract sales, to create revenue for a worthy cause.
The CD comes with the song in a "radio edit" and a "long version," a total of just over 10 minutes of music. It is a slow song, with a lot of atmosphere, with singers trading lines in tre "We Are The World" and "Do They Know It Is Christmas"-fashion. Mandolin, dobro, fiddle and pipes give it folky feeling; without those instruments it could as well has been recorded by any folk from any genre of music.
I like the song. Not quite as instantly catchy as "We Are the World," but well in the same league as the original Band Aid song. And if you go to the Web site you can download the lyrics as well.
Mid-English band Jugopunch describes their music as "Kick Ass Irish folk blues," and it makes sense to find an advert for a concert with the group supporting The Family Mahone, a band heavily inspired by the Pogues. This three-track CD is their second recording, and is to be considered as a taster for the brand new Where Are We Now? album, with the two title songs also appearing on the album, and the third, a cover of "Greenback Dollar," included as a bonus track.
"Cold" is a heavily Pogueish song, certainly intended to be played very loud. "A Fiver on the Horses" is a little lighter, with a harmonica playing a prominent part in the backing. I quite like the chorus of that one, and there are parts of the lyrics to really catch your ear, showing a sense of folky storytelling set in modern times. Jugopunch does not add much to "Greenback Dollar," but the songs suits them and I can see the point of including it.
They show their roots very clearly on the CD, and the record does not pass unnoticed if you put it in your player. Well worth checking out.
