For those of you out there that love the great sounds of the 70s British folk underground scene, Guerssen, the Spanish label, are reissuing one of the rarest albums from that period on vinyl for the first time: Gallery – The Wind That Shakes the Barley.
Originally released on Midas Recordings in 1972 The Wind That Shakes the Barley (now fetching around £1000) featured the wonderful vocals of Barbara and Royce Seabourne. Gallery’s slightly medieval sound inevitably leads to The Wicker Man references although the film which has taken credit for many 70’s underground Folk music releases wasn’t released until 1973. The best sound comparisons appear to lie at the door Mike and Mandy Morton of Spriguns Of Tolgus who formed in the same year of this release.
You can hear on the two tracks below (contained in one video) Dowie dens of yarrow / The wind that shakes the barley.
The original Midas label was set up by Alan Green who was also behind the Folk Heritage / Westwood labels. Folk Heritage released Michael Raven & Joan Mills – Death and the Lady which we featured recently.
Tracklisting
Seven Gypsies
False Bridge
Queen Of Hearts
Gilderoy/Staten Island Harvest Home
Let No Man Steal Your Thyme
Dowie Dens Of Yarrow
The Wind That Shakes The Barley
Broomfield Wager
Chaconne
The Baron Of Brackley
Icy Acres
Band Members:
Dulcimer – Barbara Seabourne
Fiddle – Mark Uttley
Guitar – Alan Morrison, Barbara Seabourne
Mandolin – Mark Uttley
Vocals – Barbara Seabourne, Royce Seabourne
This will be the first ever vinyl reissue featuring the original artwork. It includes an insert with liner notes by Richard Allen (a key figure in this field of rare and collectible music) as well as a rare promo photo.