Battle of the Field explained

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, Chelsea, London 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.^[1]

Recording

Writing at mainlynorfolk.info, Tony Rees says:

Track listing

All tracks traditional, arranged by Carthy, Harris, Hutchings, Kirkpartrick, Nicol and Swallow except "Albion Sunrise" and "New St. George" composed by Richard Thompson

Side 1

1. "Albion Sunrise" - 2:54
2. Morris Medley: "Mouresque" / "London Pride" / "So Selfish Runs The Hare" (song) / "Maid of the Mill" / "Sheriff's Ride" - 7:14
3. "I Was a Young Man" (Roud 1572) - 4:03
4. "New St. George" - 2:37
5. "La Rotta" - 1:37

Side 2

1. "Gallant Poacher" - 4:26 (Roud 793)
2. "Cheshire Rounds" / "The Old Lancashire Hornpipe" - 2:42
3. "Hangèd I Shall Be" - 6:20
4. "Reaphook and Sickle" - 2:44 (Roud 1375)
5. "Battle of the Somme" (instrumental, W. Lawrie) - 1:48

Personnel

• Martin Carthy - vocals, acoustic guitar
• Sue Harris - vocals, oboe, hammer dulcimer
• Ashley Hutchings - vocals, electric bass guitar
• John Kirkpatrick - vocals, Anglo-concertina, button accordion, melodeon, electric piano
• Simon Nicol - vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, electric dulcimer, synthesiser
• Roger Swallow - drums, percussion

with

• Dave Mattacks - percussion on "Reaphook and Sickle"
• Martin Nicholls, John Iveson, Colin Sheen and Paul Beer - sackbuts on "Gallant Poacher"

External links

• The Albion Country Band's Gallant Poacher at mainlynorfolk.info

Notes and References

1. Web site: Albion Country Band: Battle of the Field. mainlynorfolk.info.