The Memory Band

Everything The Memory Band do, however varied, is done to a high level. Their music is always interesting, often strange, and usually beautiful, and A Common Treasury is the perfect place to hear it.

Never the Same Way Twice is a new album from The Memory Band, marking the twentieth anniversary of their debut EP. These previously unreleased recordings present a tantalising glimpse of two decades of hauntological and heartfelt collective excursions across the ancient and magical British landscape.

Based around the one constant figure of Stephen Cracknell, The Memory Band’s sixth album Colours, again features a number of special guests. Existing on the margins of folk and electronica, they manage to bring a touch of the sublime to these liminal states.

Stephen Cracknell’s ‘The Memory Band’ returns with new album ‘Colours’. Watch the accompanying video for Albion’s Daughter, inspired by the poetry of William Blake.

While it’s tempting to situate albums like A Fair Field under the broad ‘hauntology’ banner, this is no dry exercise in pastoral retro-futurism. Rather it is a varied, heartfelt set of tunes that also happens to be a valid and enlightening social document.

This week’s mix features all new music, some of which is yet to be released. The one thing they all share is that they push the boundaries in terms of creating original music, and it is this which sets this particular playlist apart.

On their fifth album The Memory Band return once more to the ghost-lit back-roads of British traditional music where digital machinery and acoustic musicians congregate to make old music from the future.

Almost a year ago to the day we featured a guest mix from Salad Sound System . The good news is we have another…featuring Ivor Cutler, Michael Chapman, John Martyn, 5 Hand Reel, The Memory Band, Edward II and lots more.

In part 4 of our Best Albums of 2013 we feature Cara Luft, Lo’Jo, Sam Amidon, The Memory Band, Sharron Kraus, Cocos Lovers, MG Boulter, The Paul McKenna Band, Allysen Callery and more.

Our Song of the Day is a lovely cover of a Lal Waterson song called ‘To Make You Stay’. It featured on a 2007 covers tribute and is performed by The Memory Band featuring the lovely voice of Nancy Wallace.

To mark the re-issue of the cult classic The Wicker Man there is a special London screening tonight and performance by The Memory Band. FRUK also has a special give-away to celebrate!

I haven’t done a mix for what seems like ages, I had an idea for one today and this is the result…like most of my mixes this is pretty laid back after an upbeat folky start. Have a good weekend!