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Sleeve Notes
The Freemen first came to prominence in their native Belfast some four or five years ago, and since then they have entertained and excited audiences all over Ireland. Tours to Canada, USA, France and Germany and appearances on stage, radio and television have given them a well-deserved international reputation. This, their third album on the Emerald label, is undoubtedly their best yet.
The music chosen for this album in many ways reflects the influences of their travels and they successfully combine elements from traditional folk material alongside more recent ballads.
The New World flavour of the rousing choruses of the "foot-of-the-bed men" the "Molly Maguires" makes a delightful contrast with the ever popular "Come all ye Tender Ladies" (Carter Family) and the bitter-sweet "So Long Marianne", written by Leonard Cohen, and Tom Paxton's "Where I'm Bound".
Leaving the far shore and coming nearer home the joys and sorrows of the Scottish Fisher Folk and the ill fated Welsh mining towns of the Rhondda Valley are aptly expressed in "Bonny Ship the Diamond" and "Rhondda".
Echoes of Don McLean's classic "Vincent" can be heard in Shay Robinson's composition "Brendan" (a tribute to the laughing boy himself) and I have a feeling that this song is destined to become an essential item in the repertoire of Folk Groups for many years to come.
For those of you who have previously seen or heard the Freemen, a pleasant surprise is in store when you hear the singing talents of Gerry McKee so well displayed in "Blackwater Side". Equally pleasant for the folk drinking man (or woman!) is the vision of pubs and pints conjured up by the group's arrangement of "The Star of the County Down" laced with "Morriseys Jig".
John's arrangement of Campbell's "My Lagan Love", an adaptation of the traditional Irish song "Flower of Maidens", will give renewed pleasure to many folk music fans and I know that this is an arrangement which he has long wished to record.
This is a record of very considerable merit and the variety and quality of its songs and arrangements will bring joy to many a heart whether listening at home or singing along at a party.
Albert Fry