Lal and Mike Waterson
Bright Phoebus (2017 reissue)
domino
Bright Phoebus, Lal and Mike Waterson’s 1972 folk-noir masterpiece, has long been recognised as one of British music's legendary lost records.
Following the parting of ways of The Watersons and freed from the strictures of folk orthodoxy, Lal and Mike Waterson’s love of words allowed them to serve the needs of their songs in ways that weren’t possible when singing already written songs. Featuring performances from Lal, Mike and Norma Waterson, Martin Carthy, Richard Thompson, Ashley Hutchings, Dave Mattacks, Tim Hart and Maddy Prior, amongst others, the album is now recognised as a forward-thinking benchmark for the genre. Fans include Arcade Fire, Stephen Malkmus, Billy Bragg, Jarvis Cocker, Richard Hawley – the latter two performed the record themselves in 2013 on the ‘Bright Phoebus Revisited’ tour. “one of the most sought-after recordings in the history of the genre… While its dark charms were quelled for years due to licensing agreements and general mismanagement, the songs themselves have only grown in strength, waiting patiently for their inevitable day in the sun, and the well-deserved accolades of the masses” 10/10 - allmusic
Tracklist
- Rubber Band
- The Scarecrow
- Fine Horseman
- Winifer Odd
- Danny Rose
- Child Among The Weeds
- Magical Man
- Never The Same
- To Make You Stay
- Shady Lady
- Red Wine Promises
- Bright Phoebus
- Danny Rose (The 1971 Demos - 2lp / 2cd only)
- Fine Horseman (The 1971 Demos - 2lp / 2cd only)
- Winifer Odd (The 1971 Demos - 2lp / 2cd only)
- Child Among The Weeds (The 1971 Demos - 2lp / 2cd only)
- Magical Man (The 1971 Demos - 2lp / 2cd only)
- Bright Phoebus (The 1971 Demos - 2lp / 2cd only)
- Red Wine Promises (The 1971 Demos - 2lp / 2cd only)
- Song For Thirza (The 1971 Demos - 2lp / 2cd only)
- The Scarecrow (The 1971 Demos - 2lp / 2cd only)
- Never The Same (The 1971 Demos - 2lp / 2cd only)
- One Of Those Days (The 1971 Demos - 2lp / 2cd only)
- Jack Frost (The 1971 Demos - 2lp / 2cd only)