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Ashley Hutchings: The Guv'nor Vol 1

The Guv'nor Vol 1 (HTD CD 23)

The Guv'nor Vol 1
Ashley Hutchings

HTD Records HTD CD 23 (CD, UK, July 29, 1994)
Wildcat Recording Corp WLD-9221 (CD, USA, 1996)
HTD Records HTD BX 1 (4 CD, UK, August 22, 1997)

 The Guv'nor Vol 1 (WLD-9221)
The Guv'nor Vol 1 (TRACD323/CMACD519)

Transatlantic TRACD323 (CD, UK, July 1999)
Castle Music America CMACD519 (CD, USA, September 28, 1999)

“A retrospective of the work of Ashley Hutchings containing all rare, archive and previously unreleased material.”

Compiled by Ashley Hutchings and Tim Woodward at Courtyard Recording Studio, Stockport, 1994.

Thanks to Richard Lewis, Dave Gaule, Steve Giles and especially David Suff for valuable assistance in compiling this album.

Due to the recording source of some of these tracks there will be a difference in sound quality. All endeavours have been made to clean up the master tapes as much as possible to ensure your listening pleasure.

Tracks

The Ethnic Shuffle Orchestra (1966)

  1. Washington at Valley Forge (1:15)
    home recording, 1966;
    Ashley Hutchings, vocals, acoustic upright bass; Simon Nicol, acoustic guitar; Steve Airey acoustic guitar; Willy, kazoo; Bryan King, washboard

Fairport Convention (1967)

  1. Some Sweet Day (2:33)
    recorded December 1967 at Sound Techniques, London;
    Ian Matthews, Judy Dyble, vocals; Richard Thompson, vocals, slide guitar; Simon Nicol, guitar; Ashley Hutchings, bass guitar; Martin Lamble, drums

Fairport Convention (1968/69)

  1. You're Gonna Need My Help (4:11)
    from the BBC “Symonds on Sunday” show recorded February 4, 1969 and broadcast February 9, 1969;
    Sandy Denny, Ian Matthews, vocals; Richard Thompson, slide guitar; Simon Nicol, guitar; Ashley Hutchings, bass guitar; Martin Lamble, drums
  2. Dear Landlord (4:11)
    out-take from the Unhalfbricking recording sessions;
    Sandy Denny, vocals; Richard Thompson, Simon Nicol, guitar; Ashley Hutchings, bass guitar; Martin Lamble, drums

Steeleye Span (1970)

  1. College Grove / Silver Spear (2:46)
    from the BBC “Folk on 1” show broadcast 17 October 1970;
    Peter Knight, fiddle; Martin Carthy, guitar; Tim Hart, dulcimer; Ashley Hutchings, bass guitar
  2. Lay Down Your Weary Tune (4:08)
    from the BBC “Folk on 1” show broadcast 17 October 1970;
    Maddy Prior, Peter Knight, Martin Carthy, Tim Hart, Ashley Hutchings, vocals

Albion Country Band (1972)

  1. Four Hand Reel / St. Anne's Reel (2:45)
    from the BBC “Top Gear” show recorded 19 June 1972 and broadcast 4 July 1972;
    Sue Draheim, fiddle; Steve Ashley, harmonica; Simon Nicol, guitar; Ashley Hutchings, bass guitar; Dave Mattacks, drums

The Etchingham Steam Band (1974)

  1. Horn Fair (3:34)
    from Norwich Folk Festival, 1974; later included on The Etchingham Steam Band;
    Shirley Collins, vocals; Ashley Hutchings, acoustic bass guitar; Ian Holder, accordion; Terry Potter, mouth-organ

Albion Dance Band (1976)

  1. Lament / Rotta (3:57)
    John Sothcott, vielle; John Rodd, recorder; Simon Nicol, guitar; Ashley Hutchings, bass guitar; Michael Gregory, drums

The Albion Band (1979)

  1. A Sailor's Life / One More Day (8:35)
    John Tams, Julie Covington, vocals; Ric Sanders, fiddle; Pete Bullock, keyboard; Graeme Taylor, guitar; Phil Pickett, shawm, recorder; Ashley Hutchings, bass guitar; Michael Gregory, drums
  2. The Bluebell (3:15)
    Ric Sanders, fiddle; Pete Bullock, keyboard; Graeme Taylor, guitar; Ashley Hutchings, bass guitar; Michael Gregory, drums
  3. Six Days on the Road (3:38)
    Doug Morter, vocals, guitar; Martin Simpson, slide guitar; Andy Roberts, guitar; Melanie Harold, acoustic guitar; Barry Dransfield, fiddle; Ashley Hutchings, bass guitar; Dave Mattacks, drums

The Albion Band (1982)

  1. The Albion Band Is Here Again (3:27)
    Cathy Lesurf, vocals; Jean-Pierre Rasle, vocals, crumhorn; Dave Whetstone, vocals, melodeon; Simon Nicol, vocals, guitar; Ashley Hutchings, vocals, bass guitar; John Maxwell, vocals, drums

The Albion Band (1984)

  1. Lost In Space / Only When I Laugh (3:55)
    Phil Beer, mandolin; Doug Morter, guitar; Ashley Hutchings, bass guitar; Trevor Foster, drums

The Albion Band (1988)

  1. Elements Lament (2:20)
    written for Key to the North, a film about Newark's involvement in the English Civil War;
    Cathy Lesurf, vocals; John Shepherd, keyboards; Phil Beer, fiddle; Ashley Hutchings, bass guitar; Trevor Foster, drums

The Ashley Hutchings All Stars (1988)

  1. Angelina (5:57)
    Ashley Hutchings, vocals; Clive Gregson, guitar; John Shepherd, keyboards; Pete Zorn, bass guitar; Dave Mattacks, drums; Polly Bolton, Bill Zorn, vocals

The Albion Band (1992)

  1. Three Bampton Morris Tunes (3:45)
    Simon Care, melodeon; Keith Hinchliffe, acoustic guitar; Julie Matthews, keyboard; Ashley Hutchings, bass guitar

The Albion Band (1993)

  1. We Lie (duet version) (5:06)
    Chris While, Simon Nicol, vocals, acoustic guitar; Ashley Reed, fiddle; Ashley Hutchings, acoustic bass guitar
  2. Didn't He Ramble (4:02)
    Ashley Hutchings, vocals, acoustic bass guitar; Chris While, Simon Nicol, acoustic guitar; Ashley Reed, fiddle

Sleeve Notes

Ashley Hutchings' remarkable contribution to the British Folk Revival has often been compressed into the shorthand: father of folk-rock, alchemist of electric morris, founder-member of Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and the many Albion Bands. However, this does not begin to detail the full extent of his achievements. Hutchings' enormous importance as band-leader, arranger, musician, and above all popularist of English-based folk music is centred upon his unique blend of tradition and innovation.

Ashley was born on January 26, 1945, and spent his early years in the Muswell Hill area of North London. His father, Leonard, was a pianist with his own dance band - Leonard Hutchings and His Embassy Five. The young Hutchings followed a passionate interest in all forms of popular music. During the early sixties he led a number of short-lived groups - the Still Waters, the Blue Reeds, Dr. K.'s Blues Band, Tim Turner's Narration and the Ethnic Shuffle Orchestra. Skiffle, R'n'B and the singer-songwriters of North America provided the repertoire for the nascent Fairport Convention.

Fairport's remarkable progress through the London underground scene of the mid-60s, to the milestone masterpiece of Liege and Lief is a story that has begun to take on the appearance of legend. The importance of Liege and Lief cannot be underestimated; proving that it was possible to develop modern rock from the indigenous tradition. Hutchings, in search of an ever more English sound, was soon to leave Fairport to found Steeleye Span. Whilst with Steeleye, he worked on a production of Keith Dewhurst's `Corunna'. This began an association with the theatre and theatrical presentations that has continued through the numerous Albion Bands to the present day. Much of this work - including productions at the National Theatre, the Riverside Centre and on concert stages throughout Britain - has been under-represented on record.

Perhaps the hallmark of Ashley's musical quest during the last three decades has been his remarkable facility to unite musicians into the most formidable squads. He has repeatedly captained the most electrifying teams - ensembles of soloists, capable of uniting diverse musical styles and presenting spectacular stage shows with dance and the spoken word.

Ashley Hutchings has long been acknowledged as a restless catalyst, the quiet architect responsible for assembling a string of great ensembles. Whilst he continues to perform and add to the enormous body of recorded work, this first volume in a series of retrospectives will finally allow the full extent and importance of his unparalleled contribution to be justly measured.

David Suff (1994)

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