Seth Lakeman – A Pilgrim’s Tale
Absolute – 7 February 2020
This year marks the 400th Anniversary of that epic voyage by the small merchant ship the Mayflower. Onboard were 102 passengers and 30 crew, bound from Plymouth, England to the ‘New World’.
Seth Lakeman’s latest album – his tenth solo release – provides a moving account of these first tentative, and often terrifying steps that have ultimately resulted in the world’s most powerful nation. Based on extensive research, the journey has certainly energised Seth and resulted in a powerful and poignant song cycle. Of course, it’s not possible to tell the whole story in a dozen songs, but what it does do is bring to life a world-changing historical event with economy, skill and subtlety.
Equally central to the story, along with the Dutch and English pilgrims seeking religious liberation, are the indigenous Wampanoag people – the community who had lived on the land for a millennia before the Europeans ‘discovered’ and ‘colonised’ what is now known as Cape Cod.
Although Seth still lives 20 minutes from the Mayflower Steps in Plymouth, England, the inspiration for this project came when he was on tour with Robert Plant’s band. During a stop-off in Massachusetts, the musician visited the Plymouth Plantation and spoke to Wampanoag families that still live in the area. In a reversal of the narrative, his return journey to England spawned a creative burst, with songs arriving ‘…in a mystical way,’ according to Seth.
The opening track certainly confirms that. Watch Out tells of a deadly premonition of a Wampanoag girl about how strange travellers will come and devastate their land and lives. It’s an atmospheric and intriguing opener with Seth masterfully conjuring up the 17th century through his playing and writing.
It’s a return to a more traditional folk sound compared with the folk-rock of Seth’s last album, 2018’s The Well Worn Path. But even in the traditional mode, he brings a modern sensibility and energy to the 12 songs – seven Lakeman originals, three traditional and two covers, all of which slot seamlessly into the story.
Although it’s unlikely to be called a ‘Folk Opera’ in any promotion (as that sounds a bit old fashioned), there is a fine precedent in folk circles for an album’s worth of story, including Peter Bellamy’s The Transports and Fairport Convention’s Babbacombe Lee. The linking narration for A Pilgrim’s Tale, is performed with seasoned authority by Paul McGann (Doctor Who, Withnail and I). Nick Stimson, associate director of the Theatre Royal in Plymouth weaves the words that pull the music and lyrics together. For each track, there’s enough narration to set the scene and not too much that it breaks the mood.
Along with his violin, vocals, bouzouki et al, Seth has assembled a stellar group of long-term collaborators with Cara Dillon providing sumptuous vocal colour and Benji Kirkpatrick on backing vocals, guitar and drum. The lineup is completed by fabulous folk double bass player Ben Nicolls and Seth’s very own old man Geoff Lakeman who provides even more backing vocals. The vocal mix of all assembled creates a suitable swell for the traditional sea shanty Sailing Time, which conjures the spirit of freedom and optimism as the Mayflower travellers set sail to their promised land.
However, the sails come off the ship – almost literally – as recounted in the Lakeman-original The Great Iron Screw. The song tells of how the pilgrims nearly ended their journey in Davy Jones’ Locker but were saved by the titular screw (likely a house building tool) which was used to fix the ship’s broken main beam. Without quick thinking and the provision of the tool, it’s no exaggeration to say that the whole of human history would have changed completely…
‘If you’d never heard anything about the Mayflower and the birth of the modern USA these words and music could be your primer,’ explains Seth. And he’s absolutely right. The album condenses the story with purpose and vigour. But it also tantalizes, leaving stories unresolved and details to uncover. For me, it has started a journey where I want to know more about this pivotal event in history – an ocean adventure that made waves which still carry the course history forward to this day. And there’s no better place to start your voyage than here.
The Pilgrim’s Tale is out on 7th February 2020
Upcoming Tour Dates
THU 23 JANUARY – Tradfest 2020, Dublin, Ireland
WED 05 FEBRUARY – Cast – Doncaster, Doncaster, UK
THU 06 FEBRUARY – St Andrew’s Church, Grimsby, UK
FRI 07 FEBRUARY – Norbury Theatre, Droitwich Spa, UK
SAT 08 FEBRUARY – Trinity Arts Centre, Gainsborough, UK
SUN 09 FEBRUARY – Blackfriars Theatre and Arts Centre, Boston, UK
TUE 11 FEBRUARY – St Nicholas’ Church, Harwich, UK
WED 12 FEBRUARY – Southwark Cathedral, London, UK
THU 13 FEBRUARY – Central Hall, Southampton, UK
FRI 14 FEBRUARY – Flavel Arts Centre, Dartmouth, UK
SAT 15 FEBRUARY – Minster Church of St Andrew, Plymouth, UK
SAT 21 MARCH – Kulturzentrum Grend, Essen, Germany
SUN 22 MARCH – Kulturetage, Oldenburg, Germany
MON 23 MARCH – Knust, Hamburg, Germany
TUE 24 MARCH – Ringelnatz Warnemünde, Rostock, Germany
WED 25 MARCH – Privatclub, Berlin, Germany
THU 26 MARCH – Objekt 5, Halle, Germany
FRI 27 MARCH – Zentrum Altenberg, Oberhausen, Germany
SAT 28 MARCH – Cellarium, Knittlingen, Germany
THU 23 JULY – Warwick Folk festival 2020, Warwick, UK
SAT 8 AUGUST – Wickham Festival 2020, Wickham, UK
For details of Seth’s upcoming tour dates, visit: https://www.sethlakeman.co.uk/live-dates/
Photo Credit: Matt Austin