A Very Special Collection and a Special Paddy Bell
Nigel Mc | The Chilterns | 09/01/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There are several very good CD's which feature the the Corries - Ronnie Browne and Roy Williamson. This disc introduces the listener to one of the original members of the pre-Beatles Corrie Folk Trio - Bill Smith. More importantly we are treated to the fabulous voice of Paddy Bell. I have waited patiently for a CD of this era and my patience has been amply rewarded. This disc gives us two original albums on one CD - a very generous 24 tracks!
Some of these recordings are not quite as crisp as the newer versions recorded by the Corries. However, the difference is fairly marginal and there is the compensation of Paddy Bell. Witness her involvement in the final chords of 'The Lass of Fyvie'. She also holds the solo spot in several beautiful songs - 'Fear A Bhata' and 'Corrie Doon' immediately stand out as very special.
The album opens with a wonderful medley of songs entitled 'The Singing Games' If you want to hear Scottish folk songs as they should be sung then look no further than this album. Buy it!"
Shapes of things to come
E Rice | western ny state | 12/07/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"this cd provided me with one album i'd never heard (promise of the day) and one i had on vinyl. 'with paddie bell' was the first album of the corries i owned, and it started a decades long addiction.
i'd forgotten what a fabulous voice bill smith had. one reviewer favors paddie bell, but, much as i adore roy and ronnie, i wish there were a recording of nothing but bill smith. i'd love to know why he left the group. according to one web site devoted to the corries, paddie bell left to have a baby. (this was the 60's.)(the early 60's.)
in these albums, you can hear all sorts of things that eventually became standard for modern folk-- such as a non-traditional mix of instruments and imaginative arrangements--without the self-conscious attempts at innovation and/or multi-culturalism too many contemporary groups commit. a couple of the arrangements are perhaps a smidge dated, but to balance them, the arrangement of 'twa corbies' is one of the most effective any incarnation of the group produced. the musicianship, the arrangements, the depth of emotion, the range of instruments are all here.
(for any chad mitchell trio fan, you will recognize several songs that group recorded. which leads to enjoyable speculation about all sorts of musical matters.)
if you are familar with the later corries recordings, you will probably enjoy hearing the younger roy and ronnie. even at this early stage, they're wonderful.
this is first class scottish traditional music and song done straightforwardly by extremely talented people. both albums have stood the test of time. they are as enjoyable now as they were decades ago."
Track Listings (24) - Disc #1