Seth Lakeman
The Somerset Sessions
Honour Oak Records
9 June 2023
Seth Lakeman probably needs no introduction to Folk Radio regulars or a much wider audience. The Dartmoor-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist is one of the most successful artists to cross over from the folk world into the musical mainstream.
Nominated for a Mercury Music Prize in 2005, in more recent years, he has recorded and performed alongside Robert Pant (as part of Plant’s Sensational Space Shifters band) and accompanied Van Morrison on his recent Moving On Skiffle album. Check out Seth’s fiddle playing on Van’s Green Rocky Road for evidence (if needed) of his musical prowess.
The Somerset Sessions is a bit of a side-step, albeit a tremendously enjoyable one. The tracks were recorded over ten days at the Bert Jansch Studio in Frome, Somerset, in 2020. We all remember those uncertain days, and the pandemic may be why Seth chose to record and release another album, Make Your Mark, a year later. Six tracks from that release are on the Somerset album, although in contrasting arrangements.
Eventually released as a limited edition for Record Store Day on (rather handsome) vinyl, demand was such that Seth decided a full release was in order for The Somerset Sessions on his Honour Oak Records label. And it’s a wise move, as the album deservedly stands alongside Lakeman’s best work.
But don’t be fooled into thinking these are rough workouts, the calibre of his assembled musicians means this is anything but. A full folk/rock/pop backing is provided by drummer Ethan Johns, keyboardist Jeremy Stacey and Nick Pini on bass. John Smith’s exemplary guitar and bouzouki backing really shine, adding texture and melody. There are also guest vocals by fellow singer-songwriter Alex Hart on the brilliant closing track, Go Your Own Way.
All tracks are Seth’s compositions, with co-credits on four tracks from David Prowse and one, Hollow, from the Reg Meuross. Like its twin on Make Your Mark, it’s a brilliant, angry song. The Somerset Sessions version is more experimental, poppy and clocks in at a minute and a half longer. To my ears, Smith’s Richard Thompson-like guitar breaks, solos and Nick Pini’s melodic bass make it a shade superior to the later-recorded version.
There’s a passion and purpose in Seth’s voice that really stands out in these recordings; maybe it was the release to perform and record (briefly) in between lockdowns. But there’s an added emotional weight to the whole album. It also shows Seth’s continued creative outpouring that he was prepared to leave great songs like When I’m Gone, Days Ago, These Times and Go Your Own Way on the shelf when recording a year later.
Season Cycle, which naturally takes the themes of death and rebirth, is one of Seth’s most powerful songs and performances. Meanwhile, Open Road, with its North African and Middle Eastern flavours, must surely take some inspiration from Seth’s time with the Sensational Space Shifters and wouldn’t have sounded out of place on Plant’s Carry Fire album.
The Somerset Sessions is a fully-fledged and realised album that presents some of the best tracks from Make Your Mark in very different arrangements, alongside six never-before-heard songs. It’s also a showcase for a brilliant set of musicians pouring their all into some of Seth Lakeman’s strongest material to date.
For full details of Seth’s upcoming Festival and Tour Dates, visit: https://www.sethlakeman.co.uk/