Album review from Maverick
Edward II
THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION
E2 Music-E2CD1001
* * * *
Brilliant retrospective album of one of UK’s leading folk/roots pioneering bands.
Edward II were formed in Cheltenham in 1984 and started life as Edward The Second And The Red Hot Polkas, the name was shortened later on and after a few record labels, line-up changes, some very well received albums and a very hefty touring schedule they began to get rave reviews from the UK all the way to India and Brazil. In 1999 they decided to go their separate ways so as to pursue solo projects but then reformed this year through public demand to do their ‘one year only tour’ (see Ely Folk Festival report).
Playing a tremendously exciting fusion of folk and reggae this band never fails to inject interest and fun into the listener. This is a 2-CD set with the first album concentrating on THE POLKA YEARS, with the melodeon being forefront on all of the songs but with an underlying reggae beat throughout. This reggae vein sometimes comes through stronger as on the lively sunshine filled tune Swedish Polka-The Paid In Krona Mix which was an NME single of the week.
The second CD is entitled WICKED MEN AND TING and concentrates on the later albums from the 1991 release WICKED MEN which acted as a benchmark for everything that came after it. This CD includes the hugely popular instrumental Brilliant Pebbles plus the wonderful reggae styled Dashing Away which is a perfect foil for the seductively smooth vocals of the charismatic lead singer Glenn Latouche.
This group are superb in concert, and this collection will give you a great opportunity to hear for yourself how folk and reggae fuse together so delightfully. DK
31 August 2009
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