Did He Who Made The Span Make Thee?

Herein, we explore various aspects of trad: arr . Hutchings . Ashley's thumbnail self-portrait for the sleeve-notes of his first Cecil Sharp album modestly said:   "The performer will probably be remembered for his part in the popularising of folk-songs and folk-dance music ". CD2 brought us the folk-dance; on CD4 we turn our attention to the songs, both "trad: arr ." and trad-ish ".

Ashley's earliest recordings reflect an interest in folk-inspired songs, and a series of trad: arr . tracks ( Nottamun Town, She Moves Through The Fair, A Sailor's Life ) paved the way to the defining album of the genre , Liege & Lief .   While Fairport deviated from the path of pure folk-rock (into singer-songwriting, rock opera), Ashley remained doggedly traditionalist through his albums with Steeleye , and with No Roses and Morris On . With creation of The Albion Band, he began to paint from a broader palette, but retained the spirit of the tradition within the band's music.

Guests Galore!! -   on this CD include rarities from Fairport, Steeleye and a clutch of Albions ( Country Band, Christma s Band, and Albion Bands from '87 to '95); There's Derbyshire's Coope Boyes & Simpson ,   and John Tams , and someone called Sharp wheeling a bike!    Morris On and his Great Grandson are each sampled, plus many more rare session- and tour-recordings of Ashley Classics.

It seems entirely appropriate that this CD celebrates the electrification , literally and metaphorically, of traditional songs for which "the godfather of folk-rock " is most renowned.