Trunk
V.A. : Fuzzy-felt folk (UK,1970s)****'
When music collectors and lovers Johnny Trunk and Martin Green listened to some music of their collection, one particular track ("the elf") made them think of a genre-describing title for it, and they called it "fuzzy-felt folk". They decided, with true love for the music, to find more, similar examples to compile a full album with that sound. The result is for me one of the best examples of how compilations should be done, and is completely different to any usual, commercialised or easily conceived ideas for any compilation. It is as if the album, as a perfect listen and concept, in time, was destined to be meant for an album like this.
"Suitable for all ages" says the back cover. Many of these delicately arranged perfectly sweet songs could fit perfectly in a '60s small children series. Other tracks, like "Tiffany Glass" from Orriel Smith could have fit easily on a Agincourt / Sallyangie/... association. Orriel's other listed track, "Winds of Space" is in a sweet comprehensible way a bit more experimental. Unfortunately her planned full LP was never made, and only these two brilliant tracks survived, now luckily found a fitting full release for it. The first casual reason for this compilation, "The Elf", by The Barbara Moore Singers, has this incredibly sunny, whistling puppet-swinging popcorn rhythmic theme, which, by the way, sounds close to "Georgy Girl" by the Seekers, from the from the movie from 1966 (see video here). "The Troll" by Reg Tilsey also sounds like it was made to fit exactly after that track, with similar rhythmic colourful happy fun. "My Mother Said" by Christopher Casson is a story for educating growing up girls. A simply brilliant compilation.
More Orriel Smith releases reviewed on next page
