First getting together in a local bar following the rained-out English Crumlin Wakes Festival of June, 1970, the 3 men and 2 women of Swan Arcade spent the next 20-odd years delighting Folk audiences, singing songs to raise the spirits, support a cause or tell a tale. "Round Again" is a sumptuous retrospective of the best of the group's music from that era, 23 songs, each with Swan Arcade's trademark tight, ringing harmonies and pure love of singing. Covers that the group makes their own like Lennon/McCartney's "Paperback Writer" Sting's "Black Seam" and Blind Faith's "Lola," inspirational tunes like "Keep the Faith," and "Raise Your Banner," workingmen's laments like "Donibristle Mine Disaster" and "Four Green Fields," songs of faith like "Dwelling In Beulahland," sea chanties like "Weary Whaling Grounds," and anti-war songs like "Peat Bog Soldiers" and "Children's Crusade," this is all powerful, beautifully sung stuff by one of the best-loved folk groups of all time. Some light accompaniment. |