GU4 - Lean on One Another

CD Reviews Home Page Leicester Folk Diary GU4’s Web Site

CD released April 2009

Reviewed by Graham Oldham, September 2009, for issue 47 of Shreds and Patches

Apologies to GU4 and anyone who may be interested in this fine CD as I have no information about who they are or where they're from - maybe the Sussex seaside if the second track is a clue. We have two men and two women singing mainly traditional English folk songs in harmony with precision and enthusiasm. They produce a well balanced sound; sometimes sweet and warm (The Leaves in the Woodland, Crossing the Bar), sometimes sharp and brusque (Have a Game for the Crack), but never unlikeable.

The main theme is one of the countryside and sea, supported with some hunting and of course love, mortality and drinking! There are some very fine songs which are not often heard but superbly presented - my favourite has to be Crossing the Bar - NOT a drinking song! And the poignant Mackerel Song is also noteworthy. An excellent order of tunes is thoughtfully arrived at, all in all a very pleasing album. They say that there are lots of CDs like this one around at the moment - this has got to be one of the best.

For further details see gu4.org.uk/cd.html.

Shreds and Patches - the definitive source of information about folk arts events in Shropshire and bordering counties. Editor: Sheila Mainwaring.

Send any comments/queries to Peter Burnham.