Bio:
The Memory Band is an English folk group founded by Stephen Cracknell, featuring a rolling cast of collaborators from across the musical spectrum. High profile members over the years have included Al Doyle, Adem, Simon Lord (from Simian and The Black Ghosts), Nancy Wallace and Lisa Knapp. Cracknell’s intention from the outset was for the band to be "an imaginary band, built inside a computer and made flesh by the contributions of numerous musicians. Live an acoustic band of ever changing numbers and on record a new approach to traditional music."
After releasing a couple of EPs in 2002/2003, they released their first self-titled album in 2004, which mostly comprised of re-recorded tracks from the first 2 EPs. Since then they have released several more EPs/singles and 5 more studio albums, plus an archival collection released this year which features alternative takes, mixes and arrangements of songs from the past 20 years.
Although The Memory Band have been around for several years, I didn’t know much about them until I started compiling Manerg's Wyrdology mix in April 2021. Manerg included two tracks from the band, and both were fantastic enough to prompt me to buy a couple of their albums right away. Then, just a couple of months ago, they offered their entire digital discography on Bandcamp for under £25, a deal I couldn't resist! I paid a bit more than the asking price to show appreciation, but it was still an incredible bargain, and I wasn’t disappointed. Every release is a delight. As for my favourites, I’d say the albums "Apron Strings" (2006) & "A Fair Field" (2016), plus the "Further Navigations" EP (2014) truly stand out.
As ever, origin of each track & year of release is tagged in the music files and in the download file. I hope you enjoy this latest band anthology!
1. Calling On (3:27)
2. Catch As Catch Can (3:04)
3. I Don't Believe in You (2:34)
4. The Mason and the Lark (2:55)
5. The Wearing of the Horns (Weyhill On My Mind) (3:04)
6. I Wish I Wish (7:53)
7. Blackberry Way (2:44)
8. Hobby Horse [with Belbury Poly] (3:21)
9. After Night (2:43)
10. Bells (1:58)
11. This Is How We Walk on the Moon (3:40)
12. Why (4:51)
13. Demon Days (3:17)
14. Green Grows the Laurel (Jon Hopkins remix) (4:12)
15. The Ballad of Imber Down [with Grantby] (5:48)
16. So Fleet Runs the Hart (3:15)
17. The Landscape Movement (3:00)
18. Children of the Stones (3:46)
19. A New Skin (2:38)
20. Voices (2:06)
21. Facing the Granite Country (3:36)
22. Time and Space (2:43)
23. The Poacher (2:58)
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