Ridgeriders

Last updated

Ridgeriders
Ridgeriders.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 1999
25 June 2001
Recorded1999
January 1995 ("Close Your Eyes")
StudioTone Deaf Studios, Preston, and Central Studios, Southport
Genre
Length41:31
Label Blueprint records /
HTD Records /
Talking Elephant
Phil Beer chronology
The Fiddle Collection
(1999)
Ridgeriders
(1999)
Mandorock
(2000)

Ridgeriders is a 1999 studio album based on music from the TV series Ridge Riders . The album is a collaboration album between Phil Beer, Ashley Hutchings and Chris While. [1] It also guest features The Albion Band and Julie Matthews.

Contents

The musicians later toured much of the album in January 2001, with one concert subsequently released as "Ridgeriders" In Concert in November 2001. [2]

The album is a concept album, as it is a "journey" album that would be played on a journey around Southern England, making it similar to another of Beer's albums, Show of Hands' The Path .[ citation needed ]

Similar to Beer's older album The Works, the album's release is of question. Whilst the TV series began in 1994, the album was released in September 1999, and mostly recorded the same year in Preston and Southport. The album was re-released in June 2001 by Talking Elephant, who would release the aforementioned live album later that year.[ citation needed ]

"Close Your Eyes" was actually recorded in 1995, and appeared on The Albion Band's album Albion Heart that year. [3]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Living Tradition(favourable) [4]

In their positive review, Living Tradition said the album is an "interesting concept album with enough interest for those who never saw the series, but for those readers north of the Border, it is very English in feel." [4]

Album track listing

  1. "Shapes of the Landscape" - 2:22
  2. "The Work of the Devil" - 2:10
  3. "Along the Downs" - 2:29
  4. "The Drover's Song" - 2:03
  5. "Turnpike Reel" - 2:24
  6. "Close Your Eyes" - 3:11
  7. "Low Southern Slopes" - 1:54
  8. "What Celia Sees" - 2:43
  9. "Never Without a Thief or Twain" - 2:12
  10. "Along the Pilgrim's Way" - 3:58
  11. "Michael Morey's Hump" - 1:58
  12. "Mossing We'll Go" - 2:43
  13. "Up on the Ridgeway" - 2:24
  14. "Smuggler's Road" - 2:58
  15. "Betteshanger Treasure" - 2:39
  16. "Dorset Cursus" - 3:41

Personnel

with
Technical

"Ridgeriders" In Concert

"Ridgeriders" In Concert
Ridgeriders In Concert.jpg
Live album by
Released26 November 2001
RecordedJanuary 2001
Genre Folk
Label Talking Elephant
Phil Beer chronology
Once in a Blue Moon
(2001)
"Ridgeriders" In Concert
(2001)
Beer and Sandland Live 2003
(2003)

"Ridgeriders" In Concert is a live album released in 2001. [5] It was the first album by Phil Beer to be released on the Talking Elephant label.[ citation needed ]

Track listing

  1. "Shapes of the Landscape" - 2:37
  2. "Row of Pines" - 3:47
  3. "The Cursus of Bignor" - 2:00
  4. "Mossing We'll Go" - 3:05
  5. "Tan Hill Fair" - 4:11
  6. "All Seing Stour" - 3:42
  7. "What Celia Sees" - 3:26
  8. "Rosa" - 3:12
  9. "I Am a Humble Bridge" - 3:28
  10. "Close Your Eyes" - 2:54
  11. "Robber's Roost" - 3:23
  12. "Smuggler's Road" - 2:21
  13. "Michael Morey's Hump" - 2:22
  14. "To Be a Pilgrim" - 3:02
  15. "Along the Pilgrim's Way" - 3:43
  16. "Up the Crooked Spire/GeneralWard" - 5:09
  17. "Ill Omens" - 5:39
  18. "High and Wild Places" - 4:31

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashley Hutchings</span> Musical artist

Ashley Stephen Hutchings, MBE, sometimes known in early years as "Tyger" Hutchings, is an English bassist, songwriter, arranger, band leader, writer and record producer. He was a founding member of three noteworthy English folk-rock bands: Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and The Albion Band. Hutchings has overseen numerous other projects, including records and live theatre, and has collaborated on film and television projects.

<i>The Path</i> (Show of Hands album) 2003 studio album by Show of Hands

The Path is the tenth studio album by English acoustic roots duo Show of Hands, released in April 2003. The album was conceived as an "instrumental journey" around the South West Coast Path, a 630-mile coastline path opened in 1978 in the duo's native West Country, and a celebration of the coastline's "sights and sounds". It is the band's only completely instrumental album, with each of its songs named after and inspired by different locations on the path. It was a project between Show Of Hands and The South West Coast Path Team, as part of the latter's celebrations for the silver jubilee of the path. As such the album is endorsed by various organisations who own different parts of the path, namely The Countryside Agency, The National Trust and English Heritage Commission,.and the music is ambient instrumentals inspired by different locations around the coastline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Albion Band</span> British folk rock band

The Albion Band, also known as The Albion Country Band, The Albion Dance Band, and The Albion Christmas Band, is a British folk rock band, originally brought together and led by musician Ashley Hutchings. An important grouping in the genre, it has contained or been associated with a large proportion of major English folk performers in its long and fluid history.

<i>No Roses</i> 1971 studio album by Shirley Collins and The Albion Country Band

No Roses is an album by Shirley Collins and the Albion Country Band. It was recorded at Sound Techniques, and Air Studios in London, in the summer of 1971. It was produced by Sandy Roberton and Ashley Hutchings. It was released in October 1971 on the Pegasus label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simon Nicol</span> Musical artist

Simon John Breckenridge Nicol is an English guitarist, singer, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He was a founding member of British folk rock group Fairport Convention and is the only founding member still in the band. He has also been involved with the Albion Band and a wide range of musical projects, both as a collaborator, producer and as a solo artist. He has received several awards for his work and career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Nicol (musician)</span> Musical artist

Kenneth Stephen Nicol is an English guitar player, vocalist and songwriter. He was a member of The Albion Band for many years, and for eight years (2002–2010) played in British folk rock band Steeleye Span.

<i>Fairport Convention</i> (album) 1968 studio album by Fairport Convention

Fairport Convention is Fairport Convention's debut album. The band formed in 1967, with the original line-up consisting of Richard Thompson (guitar); Simon Nicol (guitar); Ashley “Tyger” Hutchings (bass); and Shaun Frater (drums), who was replaced after their first gig by Martin Lamble. They were joined by Judy Dyble (vocals), and Ian MacDonald after they made their major London stage debut in one of Brian Epstein’s Sunday concerts at the Saville Theatre.

<i>Battle of the Field</i> 1976 studio album by The Albion Country Band

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.

<i>Grandson of Morris On</i> 2002 studio album by Ashley Hutchings and others

Grandson of Morris On is a thematic album produced by Ashley Hutchings and others.

<i>The Guvnor vol 4</i> 1996 compilation album by Ashley Hutchings

The Guv'nor vol 4 is a compilation of recordings by Ashley Hutchings.

<i>The Guvnor vol 3</i> 1995 compilation album by Ashley Hutchings

The Guv'nor vol 3 is a compilation of recordings by Ashley Hutchings.

<i>The Guvnor vol 1</i> 1994 compilation album by Ashley Hutchings

The Guv'nor vol 1 is a compilation of recordings by English folk musician Ashley Hutchings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris While</span> English singer-songwriter

Chris While is an English songwriter, singer and musician, known particularly for her vocals and live performances. She has worked as a solo artist, a songwriter and as a member of a number of duos and groups. Her music is often classified as English folk, but contains strong American influences.

<i>The Cropredy Box</i> 1999 live album by Fairport Convention

The Cropredy Box is an album by Fairport Convention recorded at their annual live concert in Cropredy, Oxfordshire, England to celebrate the band's thirtieth anniversary in 1997. Featuring many songs for which the band had become noted, the set also features performances from many former members including violinist Dave Swarbrick, original vocalist Judy Dyble, and Ralph McTell. Commentary is provided by their first manager, Joe Boyd, and Ashley Hutchings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julie Matthews</span> Musical artist

Julie Matthews is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. She has been a member of British folk duos and groups and is acknowledged internationally as a major songwriter, with her work being covered by a wide range of artists and groups. Her music is often classified as English folk, but contains strong American influences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kellie While</span> Musical artist

Kellie While is an English folk singer-songwriter.

<i>Son of Morris On</i> 1976 studio album by Ashley Hutchings and others

Son of Morris On is a British folk rock album released in 1976 under the joint names of Ashley Hutchings, Simon Nicol, John Tams, Phil Pickett, Michael Gregory, Dave Mattacks, Shirley Collins, Martin Carthy, John Watcham, John Rodd, The Albion Morris Men, Ian Cutler, and the Adderbury Village Morris Men.

<i>Acousticity</i> (The Albion Band album) 1993 studio album by Albion Band

Acousticity, released in 1993, was the first album in a new, stripped down format by the long-running folk rock outfit the Albion Band. It combines the song writing talents of the band members with traditional tunes and music from some of the best folk artists available at the time. It marked the beginning of a new lease of life for the long running and highly influential Albion Band, shaping the small group format that would be the basis of their line-up until their suspension in 2002.

<i>Albion Heart</i> 1995 studio album by Albion Band

Albion Heart, released in 1995, was the second album of the long running Albion Band's acoustic phase and the first to contain both Chris While and Julie Matthews, marking the beginning of their highly successful collaboration. It benefits from their song writing and instrumental talents, but is almost unique in the history of the band for its lack of traditional English instruments or tunes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Ashley</span> British singer-songwriter

Steve Frank Ashley is an English singer-songwriter, recording artist, multi-instrumentalist, writer and graphic designer. Ashley is best known as a songwriter and first gained public recognition for his work with his debut solo album, Stroll On. Taking his inspiration from English traditional songs, Ashley has developed a songwriting style which is contemporary in content while reflecting traditional influences in his melodies, poetry and vocal delivery.

References

  1. "AllMusic | Record Reviews, Streaming Songs, Genres & Bands". AllMusic .
  2. In Concert – The Ridgeriders | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic
  3. Phil Beer, Ashley Hutchings & Chris While: Ridgeriders
  4. 1 2 Living Tradition CD review of Phil Beer Ashiley Hutching & Chris While – Ridgenriders
  5. "In Concert - The Ridgeriders - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. 26 November 2001. Retrieved 6 October 2013.