Richard Dawson – Peasant (2014)

I've massively enjoyed Richard Dawson's music, ever since hearing him on Stuart Maconie's Freak Zone a few years ago. So, imagine my delight on finding one of his albums that I didn't already own in the Oxfam shop a couple of weeks ago.

Peasant is set in the kingdom of Bryneich, now the Tyne/Tweed area which Dawson hails from, at some time in the dark ages, telling stories from characters in that landscape. It's the first in a trilogy of such narrative albums (2020 being set in the present day, while The Ruby Cord moves to a post apocalyptic future).

With Dawson's characteristic love of discord in his guitar playing, his voice which oozes passion and commitment rather than harmony, and his lyrics which refuse to bend to the confines of scansion, this isn't always the easiest of listens. But when it hits the mark, and this is far more often than not, it's an absolutely glorious experience.

The most accessible, and probably my favourites are the rousing opener, (apart from the short trumpet prelude, Herald) Ogre, the much more sombre Soldier and the furious Scientist. The fury of the extended final piece, Masseuse, is quite overwhelming, while not a completely comfortable listen.

But if you like your folk music a little more electric, discordant and imaginative than the traditional, you'll find a lot to enjoy here.

Link to album tracks

4* - a glorious piece of imagination, fancy and execution.