Posted: 08 November 2007 at 1:50pm | IP Logged

Last night at Coventry Mr B asked for feedback on the band's evolving style, what we all think of it, etc.  I know that people have already placed comments on the forum, here and there, but I thought it would be helpful if we had one place where we could give feedback on the current ATF sound in general.  The title of this thread is inspired by Mr Robert Russell's considered opinion of the new style ("Billy Billy Goat", etc).

To kick things off, I'll say that personally I really like the variety of sounds we're getting on this tour.  As I've had several decades to become familiar with the material, it's nice to hear old songs played in a new way.  In some ways, I feel this is a natural progression: if you go back to the very early ATF stuff (Signs of Change, Jigs, Sonshine Time) there was a folky edge to it and I like the fact that the band are coming full circle and moving on at the same time.  I particularly enjoyed the Halliganesque "Carry Me Home" at Coventry last night, and Der Kommissar was superb.  And it was also great to hear other material, like Sailing Ship, played as it was meant to be heard...with an amp!

If I have one gripe it's this: we need some of these new arrangements on CD!!  How about a "live in the studio" recording?

I know some people (RR!) like it rocky, but this isn't to say that ATF are turning their back on that - they're just experimenting, and that's to be applauded.

Having said that (I feel an urgent need to grab my coat coming on), I've been inspired by Rob R to contribute some alternative folky titles myself:

DER KOMBINEHARVESTER

ONE RULE FOR YEW

SAILING SHEEP

CARRY MY HOE

LIFE IN THE HAMLET

I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOUR COUNTRY ACCENT...

Posted: 08 November 2007 at 8:48pm | IP Logged

I was at Coventry last night and fall on the Pro Acoustic side of things, as said above Robs singing of Carry me home, and Der Kom were brilliant. I would even go as far to say that last nights performance of Der Kom was the best for 25 years.

Last night was the third time I have seen the band live this year, and last night was by far the best and I felt the performance was far more polished.

For me the only song that I don't think quite worked acoustically was Take me Higher, the instrumental between the last two choruses didn't seem to come over very well.

Conversely Gina on the piano setting of the Tyros just doesn't match the Grand Piano a la Halesworth.

As Dixarn said above it would be good to have some of these new arrangements on CD. I spoke to John last night and asked if there were any studio plans his response was basically they would like to but the problem is time.

in the future we could we:-

Laser Scythe

Take me spud pulling

Suspended Onion Bags

Hayfever Will Always Make You Cry

Wild West Country Show

It's High Fashion at the farmers Market

Why cant we be Farm hands

Space rambling

No Bright Lights out here in the country

Sheep by Sheep

Plough by me

Posted: 08 November 2007 at 10:22pm | IP Logged

I'd agree with most of that.

Except.... Suspended Onion Bags?!!  That's got to hurt!

Posted: 09 November 2007 at 10:15am | IP Logged

Hey Pushbike

A bit below the belt that one!

Hope everyone is safe.

Posted: 09 November 2007 at 10:33am | IP Logged

Kevin, given that the van was too small for the Grand... Gina was, for me a highlight but the whole song next time please?

MUCK IT OUT!

WHY CAN'T WE BE FREISIANS? (SPELLING OFF!)

Posted: 09 November 2007 at 10:34am | IP Logged

Thank you for clearing that up. No offence meant.

May your wheels never fall off