Dando Shaft＜限定盤＞

Martin Jenkins(vln/mandocello/flu//vo)、Kevin Dempsey(g/vo)、Ted Kay(per)、Roger Bullen(b)、Dave Cooper(g/vo)により'68年結成されたブリティッシュ・フォーク・ロック/エレクトリック・トラッドバンド、英RCA Neonに移籍し発表された'71年作が欧Trading Placesより'23年復刻再発!

本作から後にソロ/ALBION BANDで活躍するPolly Bolton嬢(vo)が加入。'70年作で聞かれたトラッド/アシッド・フォークをベースに、よりプログレッシブ・ロック性を強めた独特なアレンジによるフォーク・ロックサウンドを披露。Keefが手掛けた『朽ちた回転木馬』ジャケットも印象的な、ブリティッシュ・フォーク・ロックを代表する名盤です。

The major change on Dando Shaft's second album was the addition of singer Polly Bolton, whose lead and harmony singing added considerable color and appeal to the group's vocal blend. The band might have been edging just a bit closer to the folk-rock mainstream, too, with a more standard rhythmic and melodic base to some of the tunes. Generally, though, they remained in the same mindset as they were on their 1970 debut: just barely rock-influenced folk, similar to Pentangle but folkier, and given to a greater emphasis on mandolin, violin, and unusual tempos. While something like "Whispering Ned" sounded as traditional as British folk-rock got, other songs nodded a bit toward the more wistful romantic pop song tradition, like "Sometimes," "'Til the Morning Comes," and "Waves Upon the Ether." The nature imagery of the debut was still present, too, if not as prominent, in songs like "Riverboat" (one of the highlights, with its lovely Bolton vocal). ~ Richie Unterberger