Whilst they sing of the fate of the Alabama on their forthcoming single ‘Roll Alabama’ (April 20) which sank to the bottom of the ocean floor there’s no stopping the folk supergroup Bellowhead who have been sailing full-speed ahead for what feels like years now. Their latest album ‘Revival’ entered the UK Album Charts at #12 and if that wasn’t enough they recently picked up their 3rd Best Group nomination from the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. So with a major new tour and single release there’s plenty for fans to be happy about and what better way to celebrate then with a new video:
‘Roll Alabama’ is a traditional halyard shanty, telling the true story of the sinking of the Mersey-built sloop-of-war CSS Alabama by the Yankee USS Kearsarge on June 19, 1864. Delivered with characteristic Bellowhead verve and brio, this song about a ship involved in the American Civil War quickly became part of the English folksong tradition, particularly as many of the crew were British and enticed to join the Confederate Navy by the lure of double pay and prize money. The shipyard referred to in the song, “Jonathan Laird” became famous in the 20th century as Cammell Laird’s and still operates in the present day.
Support on all dates will be from Kings of the South Seas, whose debut album we recently reveiwed here. The perfect companion as they share a nautical theme, performing traditional songs about cannibalism and British 19th century whaling expeditions around the South pacific.
Tour Dates
Apr 16 CROYDON FAIRFIELD HALLS
Apr 17 BRIDLINGTON SPA
Apr 18 OXFORD NEW THEATRE
Apr 19 TRURO HALL FOR CORNWALL
Apr 20 GUILDFORD G LIVE
Apr 21 WARRINGTON PARR HALL
Apr 22 IPSWICH REGENT
Apr 23 NOTTINGHAM ROYAL CONCERT HALL
Apr 24 LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC – SOLD OUT
Apr 25 POOLE LIGHTHOUSE
Apr 26 BASINGSTOKE ANVIL
Don’t miss: Jon Boden on the Future of Folk Music & Social Singing