Search - Tim Van Eyken :: Stiffs Lovers Holymen Thieves

Van Eyken Keeps Trad. Growing

Matthew B. Bursig | 09/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Who says a musical tradition can't keep growing? Traditional music is something passed from generation to generation, and it grows with time and change. Tim Van Eyken's new album "Stiffs Lovers Holymen Thieves" is a great example of this growth. Van Eyken's release is a great companion to anyone's Traditional/Folk/Folk-Rock music collection. Van Eyken himself has been in the tradition for sometime, and in 1998 he won the BBC Young Folk Award. Since then he has contributed to the English traditional group "Dr. Faustus", has worked as a Solo artist, and is an active member of "Waterson:Carthy" (Norma Waterson, Martin Carthy, Eliza Carthy).



"Stiffs Lovers Holymen Thieves" has a particular "Englishness" about it, and that is probably one of the strongest qualities of the album. The tracks "Fisherman" and "Gypsy Maid" show the English quality of male and female vocals, and are great to hear. Instrumentally, Van Eyken, and his fellow musicians, combine traditional instruments and elements with modern electric instruments and styles. An English accordion/melodeon and fiddle/violin can be found beside electric guitar, electric bass, drum kit, and even a musical saw. The instrumental tune sets hark back to such classic albums as "Liege and Lief" and "Morris On". It is on the accordion that Tim shows some of his greatest musicality and abilities.



The opening track "Barleycorn" is a refreshing look at the classic traditional lyrics of "John Barleycorn." Van Eyken's arrangement does not resemble other versions by Traffic, Fairport Convention, or Steeleye Span, but belongs up on top with them.



Some of the strongest tracks on the album are "Australia" a lamenting tune and lyric, "Gypsy Maid", "Young Alvin", and "Worcester City". The band shows good humor on renditions of "Babes in the Wood" and "Twelve Joys of Mary". Van Eyken and his fellow musicians rock out on "Fair Ellen of Ratcliffe" which drives a rocking pulse for the whole album. "Fair Ellen of Ratcliffe" is a murder ballad, and resembles a bloody medieval story that should belong in Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus or a Grimm Brothers fairy tale.



All together, the album is rather well produced; the instrument choices and arrangements fit the songs and lyrics. If you like Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, Martin Cathy, Eliza Carthy, Waterson:Carthy, Kate Rusby, and others from the traditional/folk/rock genre you will enjoy this album. When all is said and done I think it appears that the English tradition is in good hands with Tim Van Eyken.

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