Colin Andrews - Gleanings

We are all familiar with the ‘big names’ in the folk scene, such as the Carthys, Spiers and Boden, Vin Garbett etc that we tend to overlook that this is the tip of a large iceberg of dedicated and talented performers most of whom never achieve the recognition they deserve. One such person is Colin Andrews, a Sussex man who has made Devon his home for many years. Those who know Colin have great respect for him as a singer, caller, musician, Morrisman and composer of tunes and songs. This album ‘Gleanings’ is long overdue and is in a way a summary of the influences on his life and music, from Sussex to Devon with student days in Wales in between. Colin is an extremely good singer, with a measured style of delivery, range and sonority that many envy. He uses his voice to good effect on the slower songs on the CD, such as Bright Golden Buttons and Sailing Out For the First Time. The lighter side is well demonstrated by the jaunty Bill Bones and his Dancing Cat. and A Byte Too Far, a delightful parody on The Wild Rover. Of particular merit is Farewell to Whaling, which starts as the familiar Farewell to Tarwathie and then moves to a lament for the diminishing whale population. The CD is interspersed with tunes on concertina and melodeon, some self-penned, some Morris and some country dance. This is a CD for lovers of folk song and those seeking new material will find plenty to call on, and very underpriced at £7 plus £1 postage.
Gwilym Davies
Two Left Feet Label 2LF002CD www.bonnygreen.co.uk