Flowers & Frolics - the legend lives on
Seminal English dance band reforms for cd recording.
Flowers and Frolics were at the forefront of the English music revival of the 1970s and were one of the most popular dance bands of the time. Although the band has not officially existed for fifteen years, there have been various surreptitious flowerings - in Italy, Switzerland and in 1988 at the Sidmouth folk festival under a pseudonym. Why get together again? We miss each other, for a start and enjoy each other's company. What's more, in these days of CD reissues and new recording technology, we thought it would be fun to look again at some of the stuff we had recorded, and some of the stuff we hadn't, and see if we could improve on it. Simon Ritchie (of The Posh Band and no mean melodeon player, step dancer and singer) - aided by John Howson at the actual recording) has done a wonderful production job. Peta Webb and Bob Davenport joined us to sing some of the songs popular at the Empress of Russia (aka the Islington Folk Club) at which we were resident for many years. We hope you will enjoy this latest, and possibly last, flowering from one of the first e ceilidh bands.
The Tracks
1. Grandfather's Dance / He Played His Ukelele as the Ship Went Down / Mickey Mouse's Son and Daughter (vocals: Bob Davenport)
2. Ned Kelly's Fancy / The Woolloomooloo Lair / The Cunnemulla Stockman's Jig / The Manchester gallop
3. Bill Bailey / Woodland Revels (vocals: Bob Davenport)
4. Wotcher
5. Hot Punch / Uncle's Jig / Family Jig
6. Silverton Polka
7. Two Little Girls in Blue (vocals: Peta Webb)
8. Down the Road / See Me Dance the Polka
9. Martin
10. A Starry Night for a Ramble / The Watercress Girl / The Mudgee Waltz
11. Whistling Prince / The Mudgee Schottische / Harry Cotter's Schottische
12. Sunny Afternoon (vocals: Bob Davenport)
13. Shufflin' Sam
14. The Shores of Botany Bay
15. Walter Bulwer's Polkas
16. After You've Gone (vocals: Bob Davenport and Peta Webb)
17. Shepton Mallet Hornpipe / In The Toyshop / Whistle-at-her
What the critics said:
"....the old magic is still there and then some.....the playing is faultless....I can't pick any standout tracks, they're all faultless."
Baz Parkes "Shreds and Patches"
"Who needs innovation when you've got it dead right to begin with? Peta Webb...leaves no tear unjerked. I really can't praise this enough...as far as I'm concerned, they absolutely wipe the floor with most of the homemade ceilidh band recordings that pour out of domestic CD burners and on to my doorstep these days. Their approach was as eclectic as any...but they latched on to some common factor that made it all hang together Flowers and Frolics music."
Nick Beale "fRoots"
"The non-breakneck pacing and spirited but not exaggerated remain a major attraction and the band's traditionally infectious vigouris very reliably preserved in songs and dances alike. irresistible."
David Kidman "Rock'n'Reel
To order the CD "Reformed Characters", send cheque for £12 payable to "Hebe Music" to Dan Quinn, 87 St Andrews Rd, Portslade, Brighton BN41 1DD
or tel: 01273 881316
Also available:
"Bees on Horseback" - the original vinyl album. Only £5 each including p & p.
