Albion Country Band - Battle Of The Field (1976)

The Albion Band, also known as The Albion Country Band and The Albion Dance Band, were an English electric folk band, originally brought together and led by musician Ashley Hutchings. Generally considered one of the most important groupings in the genre, it has contained or been associated with a large proportion of major English folk performers in its long and fluid history.
“Battle of the Field” is a folk-rock album by the Albion Country Band, recorded in summer 1973 immediately prior to the band's breakup and only released in 1976 following public demand.
The album was produced and engineered by John Wood, and was recorded at Sound Techniques Studio and Island Studio, St Peter's Square, London. The album cover was designed by Ian Logan Associates with photographs by Keith Morris, and the original LP sleeve notes were by Rod McShane.
“Battle of the Field” was recorded by the Albion Country Band in 1973, but it wasn't released until 1976. The delay didn't really matter, since the group's music traditional English folk played on electric instruments is essentially timeless. The group wasn't quite as skilled as Fairport Convention, but they were nevertheless extraordinarily talented, and this arguably remains their finest moment.

Track listing

01.  Albion Sunrise  - 2:55
02.  Morris Medley: Mouresque / London Pride / So Selfish Runs The Hare (song) / Maid Of The  
        Mill / Sheriff's Ride  - 7:16
03.  I Was A Young Man  - 4:06
04.  New St. George (song) / La Rotta (instrumental)  - 4:15
05.  Gallant Poacher  - 4:26
06.  Cheshire Rounds / The Old Lancashire Hornpipe (instrumentals)  - 2:44
07.  Hangèd I Shall Be  - 6:23
08.  Reaphook And Sickle  - 2:47
09.  Battle Of The Somme (instrumental)  - 1:51

(all tracks trad. arr. Carthy/Harris/Hutchings/Kirkpatrick/Nicol/Swallow except "Albion Sunrise" and "New St. George" composed by Richard Thompson)

Credits
Vocals – Ashley Hutchings, John Kirkpatrick, Martin Carthy, Simon Nicol, Sue Harris
Accordion [Button] – John Kirkpatrick
Acoustic Guitar – Martin Carthy, Simon Nicol
Bass – Ashley Hutchings
Concertina [Anglo] – John Kirkpatrick
Synthesizer – Simon Nicol
Drums, Percussion – Roger Swallow
Dulcimer [Electric] – Simon Nicol
Dulcimer [Hammer] – Sue Harris
Electric Guitar – Simon Nicol
Electric Piano – John Kirkpatrick
Melodeon – John Kirkpatrick
Oboe – Sue Harris
Photography – Keith Morris
Artwork [Original Cover] – Ian Logan Associates
Engineer, Producer – John Wood

with
Dave Mattacks - percussion on Reaphook And Sickle
Martin Nicholls, John Iveson, Colin Sheen, Paul Beer - Sackbuts on Gallant Poacher

Notes
Recorded at: Sound Techniques and Island Studio
Genre:  Folk-rock
Length:  36:46
Label:  Island Records

© 1976