Albion Band : Farewell Farewell (1979)

[cje1]

what a little gem

[Blacksquareable]

I think that videotape's been well loved somehow!

[foreverspring]

j love this song, and this is simply a brilliant version. Barry is such a hauntingly beautiful vocalist, so pure and natural -- effortless, in fact. Why isn't he still out there? Or is he? Does anyone know if he's still performing? His voice blows me away. Wish we had more videos of him -- sigh!

[caley956]

@foreverspring Barry is fantastic isn't he. Both on his own and jointly with Robin. He was living in Sussex until fairly recently and had a violin restoration business. I think he's over in Brittany now. He used to occasionally do gigs when in Sussex but don't know if he still does. Maybe pick up on him at a Fest-Noz one day!

[foreverspring]

@caley956 Thanks for writing!  I appreciate the info. I only "discovered" him with the Albion Band, but I've been reading up on anything I can find since then. His voice gives one chills it's so hauntingly beautiful. I love a song called "Be My Friend" which is here at Youtube. This was released in '72 so it would have been years before the Albion Band. Anyway I'm just so delighted to have found his music.

[Renhjarta]

Beautiful! The guitarsolo is kinda Peter Green like !!

[mickigoe]

Thanks "nearly" for this - the version isn't as good as the as the inimitable Lief & Liege track - but Barry is a powerful vocalist and brings a great deal to the song here.

[nickpynn]

And what a great performance from the criminally underrated Barry Dransfield.

[faiprort]

@nickpynn

BD was a proper star...

[CraigG1960]

I've loved the Fairport version for many, many years now. This is the first time I have heard this version but I think it's great.

[hewides]

Disappointing compared to the original with Sandy Denny, but anyway, i like the Albion Band and Ashley Hutchings is one of my real great heros.

[wornpick1]

I agree, but the song still sends the old tingles up the spine. The good old days! Lets face it, there was so much cross-over of band members everywhere it was hard to keep up!

[padraigpurseal]

Now theres a memory excellant thanks for bringing me back to a time long gone bye, mores the pity

[UncleBoko]

No, I think what happened was the Albion camp split, John Tams and what became Home Service stayed in the National and did the music for Despatches, and Ashley retained the Albion name and formed this one off line up, but was in fact back at the National later in the year for further seasons of Lark Rise and the Passion.