Albion Band

English Folk-Rock band playing traditional and contemporary songs and instrumentals. Many changes in line-up over 25 years.

(Ashley Hutchings has recorded with Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, The Etchingham Steam Band, The Ridgeriders, Chris Leslie, Ray Fisher, The Kipper Family, Steve Ashley and Rainbow Chasers. Richard Thompson has recorded with Fairport Convention, Nick Drake, Ashley Hutchings, John Kirkpatrick, the group called 'French Frith, Kaiser and Thompson', The Golden Palaminos, The GPs, The Bunch, Danny Thompson, with his wife as 'Richard and Linda Thompson', Philip Pickett, Robert Plant, JJ Cale, Bonnie Raitt, Chris Leslie and as solo artist.)
(Shirley Collins (also known as Shirley Hutchings) has recorded with Dolly Collins, Davy Graham, The Young Tradition and solo.)
(John Kirkpatrick has recorded with Steeleye Span, Martin Carthy, Brass Monkey, Umps and Dumps, Gerry Rafferty, Frankie Armstrong and solo.)
(John Tams has recorded with The Home Service, and solo.)
(Phil Pickett has recorded with Musicians Of The Globe, The New English Consort, and Richard Thompson.)
(Graeme Taylor has recorded with Gryphon, Home Service, John Kirkpatrick and John Tams.)
(Martin Carthy has recorded with Steeleye Span, Brass Monkey, and solo.)
(Simon Nicol has also recorded with Fairport Convention, Jethro Tull and Chris Leslie. (Michael Gregory has also recorded with the New Scorpion Band, Fuchsia and Greenhouse Band.)
(Ric Sanders has recorded with June Tabor, Fairport Convention, Gordon Giltrap and Chris Leslie.)
(Shirley Collins and Ashley Hutchings have recorded with the Etchingham Steam Band)
(Alan Prosser and Ian Telfer have recorded with the Oyster Band)
(Howard Evans has recorded with Brass Monkey)
(Chris Leslie has recorded with Fairport Convention and solo)
(Phil Beer has recorded with Show of Hands)
(Ken Nicol has recorded with Ashley Hutchings, Steeleye Span and solo)
(Chris While has recorded with Edward II, e2K, Show of Hands and Tickled Pink)
(Many other famous artists have recorded with Albion as guests)
(Additional Albion tracks were released on the series of albums called "The Guv'nor" by Ashley Hutchings)
(The name "Albion" was first used for the band that accompanied Shirley Collins on her album "No Roses". Since then the name has varied (Albion Country Band; The Albion Dance Band; The Albion Band))

Albums.

(* 1 CD of a live concert 1976, 1 CD of "Shuffle Off").
(** tracks 1 - 6 from 1977, tracks 7 - 11 from 1987).
(*** recorded 1990/1991/1992. Includes all 8 tracks from "The Unreleased Radio Tapes").
(**** recorded 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978)
(+ 1-6 recorded 1977, 7 - 11 1987)
(++ Live)

Ashley Hutchings and the Albion Band.

Album - Albion Morris.

Album - Albion Christmas Band.

Compilations.

Best Albums(*).

(*)Based on my opinion.

Anthology, Various artists - Ian Campbell Folk Group, Ethnic Shuffle Band, Steeleye Span, Dave Swarbrick, Albion, Shelagh McDonald, Etchingham Steam Band,  Marc Ellington et al.

Singles.

Album Tracks.

Battle Of The Field. Recorded 1973. Released on vinyl in 1976. Released on CD in 1997
Running time 36 minutes 49 seconds. 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) 

Guests: Dave Mattacks (percussion on "Reaphook and Sickle") Martin Nicholls, John Iveson, Colin Sheen and Paul Beer play sackbuts on "Gallant Poacher"

Rise Up Like The Sun. Recorded mostly during 1978. Released on CD in 1992
Running time 52 minutes 20 seconds. John Tams (vocals, melodeon), Ashley Hutchings (electric bass), Dave Mattacks (drums and tambourine), Simon Nicol (vocals, electric guitars and acoustic guitar), Phil Pickett (shawms, bagpipes, curtals and trumpet), Pete Bullock (synthesiser, piano, clarinet, sax, organ), Michael Gregory (drums, nackers, tambourine), Ric Sanders (violin and violectra), Graeme Taylor (electric and acoustic guitars), Dave Mattacks (drums and tambourine).

Guests: Kate McGarrigle, Julie Covington, Linda Thompson, Pat Donaldson, Richard Thompson, Martin Carthy, Andy Fairweather-Low, Dave Bristow. 

The last 4 tracks are bonus tracks not on the original release. In 2001 several albums called 'Heritage' were released by EMI. The one by Albion makes no mention of the title 'Rise Up Like The Sun' but it is the same album.

Lark Rise To Candleford. Recorded 1980. Released on Vinyl 1980. Released on CD in 1991
Running time 48 minutes 43 seconds. Valerie Whittington (narrator), Pete Bullock (keyboards), Bill Caddick (vocals, triangle), Martin Carthy (vocals), Shirley Collins (vocals), Howard Evans (trumpet, flugelhorn), Michael Gregory (drums), Ashley Hutchings (bass guitar vocals), John Kirkpatrick (vocals, button accordeon, concertina, melodeon), Doug Morter (electric guitar), Brian Protheroe (vocals, keyboards), Steve Saunders (trombone, euphonium, tuba), Martin Simpson (banjo), John Tams (vocals, melodeon, harmonica), Graeme Taylor (electric guitar, vocals)

The music comes from the National Theatre's production of the plays 'Lark Rise' and 'Candleford' in 1978 and 1979. This in turn was inspired by 'Lark Rise To Candleford' an autobiographical book by Flora Thompson.

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Last updated on 06/06/2008