MUSIC
REVIEW
The Plains of Waterloo
(Songs and music of the Napoleonic Wars)
The
New Scorpion Band
By
Richard Moore
I
just love British folk music and military songs from the Napoleonic
period. Okay I get sideways looks from a number of people,
but the rattle of drums, pipes and old instruments does it
for me.
And
the lyrics, the use of English really transports you back
into a time that was so different and, yet, so similar.
The
New Scorpion Band is one of those groups that I have heard
tracks and songs from and I really like their approach to
the songs and music.
They
use contemporary instruments that just sound so old. There
is no synthesiser here just a mellow harmonium that is augmented
by a bassoon, side drum, flutes and Uilleann Pipes, tin whistles
and many others.
Throw
in the lead vocals of Tim Laycock that have a distinctive
style and you have a unique sound. Together with Brian Gulland,
Robin Jeffrey, Colin THompson, Robert White and guest member
Michael Gregory, Laycock has blended a superb collection of
evocative songs onn this CD.
On
The Plains of Waterloo the standout tracks - for me
- are The Route Has Just Come for the Blues, Drink
Old England Dry, the title track and Bold Nelson's
Praise, which I have heard before by the band.
Napoleonic
buffs should really try to get hold a of a copy of this band's
work as it will transport you into the great era.
Track
list
1.
The Route has just come for the Blues
2. The Grenadier's March 1776/The Rogue`s March
3. Drink Old England Dry
4. Boney Crossing the Rhine/Madame Bonaparte
5. The Plains of Waterloo/The Blackbird
6. Jolly Jack tar/Lord nelson`s hornpipes
7. Lady Nelson's/Lord Nelson's Waltzes
8. Bold Nelson`s Praise
9. The Girl I Left Behind Me/The British Grenadiers
10. Waterloo Dance
11. Little Boney
12. St Helena March
13. Boney on St Helena
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