Colin Andrews - Devon Folk Magazine

 

Magic - the word describes both the atmosphere of the Hastings Jack in the Green Festival and this CD of music, song and spoken verse that celebrates this May Day tradition.
The Ceremony of May is based on poems from Rose Blakeley’s book, A Pathway Through The Seasons, with music composed by Garry. Rarely have I heard a stand-alone album which so successfully captures the essence of a live performance, let alone the spirit of a whole weekend spectacle. Dawn Awakening, the opening instrumental track, is aptly named, for who could resist the temptation to leap out of bed and dance to the captivating rhythm and melody of drum and lead fiddle? It’s followed by the haunting song, The Beltane Bud, which is interspersed with narration by Jane Downes, who presents the main Ceremony poem at interludes between the songs and tunes.
The album is a very skilful mix of genres - spoken word, traditional sounding songs & tunes, but also full electronic and folk rock treatment used with great effect on some tracks to create, well, an ‘electric’ atmosphere! There is even a full orchestral arrangement in a reprise of The Green Man. From the Morris-like whistle & drum on Jack’s Release, the fiddle lament for Jack, and the lively Summer Polka, the music always seems absolutely right for the context of the story.
Garry and Edd Blakeley provide most of the imaginative instrumentation, with extra fiddle from Tom Leary on Jack’s Lament, and melodeon contribution from Hugh Crabtree.
As I said at the beginning - pure magic !

Colin Andrews - Editor of Devon Folk Magazine, June 2010