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Galley Beggar
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Sun God (Live)
Recorded June 2011, Charlton.
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Reformation House
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Review
The mythical bygone era of yore is an integral part of Galley Beggar’s music – and it may be the only part that the casual listener will notice. However, a closer listen will reveal myriad references to more recent musical history: the Steeleye Spans, the Fairport Conventions and the Pentangles.
Their album, Reformation House, feature a mixture of traditional and original material from back then and more recent recordings.
The result is a consolidation of the band’s sound: a complex tapestry of musical ideas and influences that require repeated listens before the effect can be fully appreciated.
Galley Beggar do not simply interpret traditional folk through a post-Pentangle lens. Despite the apparent orthodoxy of the act (there is no Bellowhead-ish jazz/funk instrumentals here) you’ll find inspiration from far beyond these shores here. It’s an approach that reflects how English culture has absorbed influences from other countries throughout its history.
“False Love”, a song alternatively known as “The Water is Wide” or “Waly Waly”, gets given an Eastern make-over on this record. The new arrangement recalls The Beatles’ “Within You Without You”.
Meanwhile, “The Outlandish Knight” and “Sir Richard” lunge into barnstorming hoe sowns. Elsewhere, the introduction to “Rowan” recalls the Prog Rockery of Dutch rockers Focus’ “House of the King” (as featured on the opening credits of Saxondale).
To dismiss Galley Beggar as just another folk band would be a sad mistake. Reformation House is a magical blend of musical ideas covering hundred of years and thousands of miles. Few bands or artists are able to cover such a broad range of styles and ideas. Not only can Galley Beggar do this, they do so in such a seamless fashion you’ll hardly notice.
- Steve Morris, Reviewage.net
Love your music. If you ever have any gigs in East Anglia let us know and we’ll enter them on our website calendar and advertise them on the show. Perhaps you’d like us to play a couple of tracks too. Jane
Great set at The Bunkfest, it did take us a while to find the club,but it was well worth it .Are you doing any more gigs in the Reading area? All the best. Andy
Hello GB
My name is Philippe producer/presenter of the weekly Monday evening show Leftfield Retro Show for Radio Wivenhoe Essex and came across your band/music on FB really liked it so any chance you could email me a track or two for airplay on the show cheers P
WOW! Stumbled across you at Weymouth FF and got blown away. Think Santana blended with Steeleye and you get some idea of the impact of this band. Can’t wait for the album, I bought Reformation House at the FF and my husband keeps pinching it!
Galley Beggar, you rock…….. More Please.
Haven’t heard anything this fresh in the genre since I came across Steeleye in 1974! Will try and go to the gig at Weymouth. Probably won’t be as stunning as the Gryphon reunion at the Festival Hall but willing to be impressed. All the best for your tour.
Please e-mail back and tell me how to get your Reformation House CD; I heard you on an internet playback of Genevieve Tudor’s Sunday Folk radio show and I thought your music was great! Bill Kistner, New Hartford, NY 13413-1210 USA
Hi Bill, you can buy the CD from the ‘Store’ page on this site. It will be shipped out to you promptly.
All the best