Mossy Christian – Come Nobles and Heroes
Talking Cat/One Row Records – Out Now
A new name on the scene, but one I’m sure we’ll hear lots of over the next few years is the talented Mossy Christian. This one-man wonder, hailing from Lincolnshire, has delivered an atmospheric, rousing and effortlessly charming solo album with a beautiful selection of thirteen tunes from his native lands.
As a writer and historian, Christian has a keen ear for the allure and history of traditional tunes, and Come Nobles and Heroes is a well-considered selection. Christian’s influences are worn on his 19th century smock sleeve; Joseph Taylor, Harry Cox and Walter Pardon are mentioned in the sleeve notes, so too is Peter Bellamy and Mike Waterson. Flavours of each can be found seeping through the album.
Recorded in the autumn of 2020, the album is a real stripped back affair. It’s the tunes, their history and the atmospheric sound of Christian’s that is at the album’s heart. There is a real timeless vibe to this album with a sense of stepping back in time to the sounds of Christian’s fiddle, Anglo concertina and One row melodeon. Christian’s not alone on the album though, gathering a fine gang of likeminded souls. And what a group it is too, with Tim Walker on percussion and cornet, Gina Le Faux on mandolin, Johnny Adams and Edwin Beasant on trombone, John Loomes on guitar and hurdy gurdy, and last, but not least, Ruth Bibby on clog dancing.
Opener ‘Quicksteps’ sets the scene with a fiery set of tunes, namely ‘Market Rasen Feast’ and ‘Louth Quickstep’ and originating from Joshua Gibbons 1823-26 manuscript. It’s a fine introduction, a lively and engaging welcome to the album.
‘The Thresher’s Daughter’, on the other hand, is a much more intimate piece. An interpretation of ‘Betsy The Serving Maid’ as originally sung by Norfolk farmer Harry Cox to Mervyn Plunkett in 1958. Focusing on Christian’s pure voice, it is an effective and honest interpretation.
‘Black Joak / Blue Joak’ sees Christian tackle some fine traditional English dance tunes, bringing them to life with a sensitivity, timelessness and sheer joy that makes them impossible to resists, whilst ‘The Way Through The Wood’ is a tender cover of Peter Bellamy’s interpretation of Kipling’s poem. Squeezebox and horns alongside Christian’s vocals are all that is needed here to create the sense of age and atmosphere.
‘Mr Jacksons Delight – As Sure As The Devil’s in Lincoln’ is a sprightly instrumental, guaranteed to get the toes tapping., whilst ‘The Young Sailor’ provides a lament and warning for young men too fond of the highlife. ‘The Red Barn Murder’ is an equally dark narrative, telling the well-known tale of Maria Marten. Closer is a tribute to music hall legend ‘Dan Leno’. Composed by Jim Ellwood, it is a feisty and playful song, with some nifty clog dancing by Ruth Bibby.
Come Nobles and Heroes is an utterly beguiling release, with a focus on the songs and tunes, and minimal intrusion of modernity. This is a raw, ageless album, and wholly irresistible for that. Christian is a fine steward for these songs, they are in a safe pair of hands and promises a fine live set once we can all gather again. I for one am very much looking forward to that!
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