reissues of psych folk / folkrock, page 5

BGO MusicHeron : The Best Of (UK,1970-1971, re.1988)***°°

Castle Music Heron : Upon Reflection -the Dawn Anthology- (UK,1970-1971, re.2006)*°°°°

There was already a very good compilation “Best of” on See For Miles. The liner notes in it, from Alan Clayson, rewritten in the notes of this new, more complete compilation, taught me some facts about the band. They said how much some groups, like for instance Traffic, serious with music, wanted to make from their musical group a communal living and to record in the country, but that it was Heron who really succeeded in doing so for their second album. It was because they were used to playing in warm environments and in a live setting, with an 8 track professional studio in a lorry, they went to a farm house, with the ambition to create such a warmer natural atmosphere. It was especially this set in combination with their talents that created something unique (you can even hear sparrows in the background). The band really sing together (more arranged and warmer than Simon and Garfunkel, to give just a clue), has very hung together arrangements on acoustic guitars and mandoline, a bit of organ, which all build up the warm atmosphere. While there is a clear songs focus, there is as much attention to the arrangements. The moody part was if I believe the liner notes partly inspired by Incredible String Band, although I don’t see much direct influence. Some guitar passages were more worked out as well.

This new double CD compilation has both Heron’s albums plus some unissued tracks from the same sessions, as well the maxi single from 1971.

The first 13 tracks on disc one cover the warm atmosphere I just explained. Then are included a few bonus tracks and a few other tracks, like “Only a hobo” (Dylan). This last track was meant as a selling point, and was the first recording they did, on the 8-track recording studio. Therefore, on the first compilation it was set as the first track. Also several of the bonus tracks, are more rock driven, and are much different, and with more straight forward energy, but don’t disturb in the way they are put in the running order of the compilation.

The second CD mixes more rocking tracks with a few left over more calm tracks. These rocking tracks direct more into slightly American styled west coast rock. One of my favourite (acoustic) tracks from Heron is “Winter Harlequin” because there the group has a duo guitar improvisation and a bit of piano while a black bird in the background sings his song.

Comparing both compilations, I have to notice that “Best of” compiled the soft tracks mostly between track 2-9 and 13-19, while on the new compilation they were compiled from 1-13 on cd 1, and were mixed on cd 2. While the new compilation is very much complete, and shows variation in style (they were not extremely incredible in their rockier tracks) the “best of” might be a more moody compilation almost entirely focusing on their more unique folk style.

Heron originally started with Roy Apps and Tony Pook - but there are no recordings of them as a duo. Robert Collins and Martin Hayward joined in the late 60s, but, again, there are no recordings of this line-up either. Collins and Hayward left the band, and Gerald T Moore and Steve Jones joined. It was this line-up (Roy Apps, Tony Pook, vocals, Gerald T Moore, guitar, mandolin, vocals, and Steve Jones, piano, organ and accordion) that recorded all the Dawn songs that are on the "Upon Reflection" Anthology. The albums were produced by Peter Eden (who previously introduced Donovan, and had produced Mick Softly and Bill Fay). Heron added two session players for the "Twice as Nice" album -Mike Finesliver (bass) and Terry Gittings (drums).

PS.1. The cover used for this double CD is based upon the cover for the first album. This might be a bit confusing. The cover of the second album is with the house which you can see on “the best of”.

PS.2. Around this time there was some radio one sessions which I don’t think are reissued yet.

The band still gigs, and will be at the Isle of Wight Folk and Blues Festival in September, 2007.

Audio here, here, here or on http://www.relaxx.co.uk/music/herondisc.htm

& on http://musicstore.connect.com/..

Heron webpage : http://www.relaxx.co.uk/heron.htm

with discography : http://www.relaxx.co.uk/music/heron2.htm

Info : http://www.strangemill.co.uk/catalog/heronsamedawndnls3010uk70exexreserved-p-30.html

More recent albums are reviewed next->

1.Relax Rec. Heron : Black Dog (UK,1997)**° (G->VG)

To celebrate their 30th anniversary, in September 1997, Heron returned to the village where they recorded their second album in 1971, and in one week recorded 32 songs. While there is no doubt everybody brought in some good songs, for the real album I’m slightly disappointed how these are so easily and directly and quickly recorded with simple, directly-on-the-spot improvised arrangements. Anyhow, firstly, it proves how the core of the group is acoustic, just like they started together on their first album. The vocal singing together somehow also proves an everlasting friendship kind of harmony without much underlying stress or contrasting opinion. There are moments where I’m reminded in singing of Wizz Jones. I think the pleasure of singing together and collecting all these songs will have been the strongest motive. Gerry, the last member, replacing Gerald GT Moore, came in at the last moment, but the joy of playing together will have been there.

Audiofragment here

and here

2.Relax Rec. Heron : Black Dog in Concert (UK,1997)*** (VG)

It is especially on the live album when they seem to adapt with each other harmoniously. Although the arrangements are a little different, it is clear how they now fully lead the songs best, in a direct live setting. The recording also includes some older songs. I especially like “Harlequin 2” with a bit of additional piano and two guitars, and perhaps "River of life, River of Fortune". There's a nice and warm live folk performance mood.

3.Relax Rec. Heron : In a field of their own -dvd- (UK,2002)***

It is the DVD that covers the backgrounds, and recollects the historical recording in the country. The group searched for the same house to recreate the original setting, and recording the missing songs and new songs. Snippets of interviews and a mini documentary around the (history of the) group and of this latest recording give a rather complete image. Of course, English humour comes across just now and then. For instance, when Gerry arrives at the set, the group point out to the grass and say “here is where the audience is going to be”. Seeing only two chairs in the back of the garden Gerry replies “both of them”. I think when they drove around the country in tractors, this would have been a nice front cover for the album presenting the new recording ? The DVD comes with detailed biographies, old photographs and a bit of audio presentation.

Heron webpage : http://www.relaxx.co.uk/heron.htm

with discography : http://www.relaxx.co.uk/music/heron2.htm

Next album->

4.Relax Rec.Heron : River Of Fortune (UK,1998)***'

I am not sure how much of both the latest albums were recorded at the same session, but it seems like there has been more time and work on the arrangements (including some string arrangements by Rhiannon Fentimen), and a feeling of comfort with the songs allowing also an slightly more inward process of creativity with them. It is a recollection of mostly old Heron songs (some known ones too, in different versions, perhaps to create a new idea on them for future live gigs) and a few new ones, fitting well together. While the previous album had little time for work on arrangements, and might have fallen back on the energy of the joy of the moment, it seems that here were also a few more conditions available like time to reconsider, and to build something up in studio, which can stimulate the creative aspect during the recording session. One of my favourite tracks (with strings) perhaps was “Friends”. It proves that, if you give people, dedicated to music, the chance and time for such a session it is worth while. It gives also a certain new life to the old songs (“Adagio” was one of these songs I very much like to remember). Anyhow it proves that their charm still has survived over the years.

Heron webpage : http://www.relaxx.co.uk/heron.htm

with discography : http://www.relaxx.co.uk/music/heron2.htm