What Dread Hands? And What Dread Feet?

Ashley Hutchings and theatre!

Ashley Hutchings and the spirit of the dance!

Ashley Hutchings - Where does one begin?

Even in the early days, there was something theatrical about Ashley's bands - the drama of the Fairport launch gig; the look of Fairport on stage; Steeleye' s use of costume and lengthy stage chat; Corunna , in which Steeleye became the first rock-band to take a play on the road.

Liege & Lief first electrified jigs and reels, and what was begun with Dave Swarbrick continued with Peter Knight in Steeleye .

The Albion Band , a name first used for musicians playing at the National Theatre , evolved from The Albion Dance Band formed with the specific purpose of playing for dances. Subsequent versions of the band were as likely to perform a multi-faceted entertainment on a theme as a standard concert; or they may play for dancing under the guise of The Albion , or The Ashley Hutchings , Dance Band . Ashley's albums contain a higher proportion of speech to music than any other rock musician's.

The Albion Country Band's concerts used to erupt from the stage with the appearance of the Albion Morris . Both Tony Harrison and Bill Bryden have remarked that it was the impact and spectacle of these dance performances that led to both dance and promenade as vital elements of their National Theatre productions.

Guests on this CD include rarities from more of the Albion family   - Christmas Band, - Danc e Band ,   - Countr y Band et al; and the Morris On family ? Morris On himself, Gt Grandson and more; plus theatre and rock classics from Lark Rise, Nativity, River Hymn, Liege & Lief , plus choice picks from Passion, Ploughjack and Pudding ( Batter , that is!) - and not forgettin' some Tornado -twangin' twistin'-rock from The Big Beat Combo ( RT , gtr.)