David Milton – Songs from the Bell Man
Story Records – 29 August 2018
Songs From the Bell Man is a collection of songs sung by The Watchet Town Crier, David Milton. These are songs that capture the history of this area of a Somerset in a bid to keep the memories alive. It’s not only a great idea but well executed and ably supported by Archie Churchill-Moss (The Lost Boys /Moore Moss Rutter) and Tom Moore (False Lights / Moore Moss Rutter) on accordion and fiddle, Ange Hardy on whistle and vocals, Lukas Drinkwater on bass and guitar and Olly Winters-Owen on percussion.
The opening track, The Watchet Sailor, starts off with just David’s fine vocal on its own before the backing kicks in. It is an old song that tells of a sailor returning to claim his true love from another. A more recent piece of history is covered on The Last Shift In which tells of the closure of the Wansbrough Paper Mill in 2015 which is currently undergoing demolition after 269 years of operation. The mill employed hundreds of Somerset workers including David. In the song, he meets up with one of his old workmates in the local Pebbles Tavern as he leaves the mill for the last time. It is a well written, emotional song that documents a time that should always be remembered. “There will come a time no-one will remember the work we did here to earn our keep”.
Crossing the Bar is a beautiful version of the poem written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson in 1889. It uses the metaphor of putting to sea to symbolise crossing from this life to the next. It is impeccably performed, and the music and vocal harmonies are gorgeous. The following folk standard, Greenland Whale Fisheries is given the full Milton treatment with beautiful accordion and fiddle backing from Archie Churchill-Moss and Tom Moore.
The Last Long Ship tells another emotional tale of a Viking funeral held in the town at midnight as the ashes of the departed were sent out to sea on a flaming vessel. It shows once again David’s unerring ability to weave a story with words and music.
Won’t You Go My Way is a traditional song on which David is joined by the mass vocals of The Old Gaffers. It is rounded off by a jaunty rendition of the tune “Oh dear mother, what a fool I’ve been” before we are led on a beautiful little waltz-time love song to a boat on the following track, Emma Louise. It sways along with a joyful vocal and some fine subtle guitar work by Lukas Drinkwater adding to the fiddle and accordion.
Old Ben has a much-missed local character, Ben Norman, telling tales of the harbour in days gone by, tales that we do not want to lose. It drips with nostalgia and has some delicate harmony vocals that are beautiful.
Row On is a sea-going song in the best traditions “Ply, ply the oars and pull away: there’s dawn beyond the night”. It is a song that is probably another metaphor for passing on but David’s a cappella vocal performance is accomplished with genuine feeling and love.
The album closes with the full-on sea shanty, Bye Bye My Roseanna. It is another instrument free performance with The Old Gaffers once more in fine voice.
David’s fine voice provides a pure folk tone for these excellent songs, backed by some fine musicians. It is a CD filled with tales of Watchet’s past, and they are tales that deserve to be preserved for future generations. The album, sensitively produced by Ange Hardy, is a genuine slice of English folk music and one that all involved can be proud of.
https://www.songsfromthebellman.co.uk/