Singers of traditional English songs are born to it, not made, so therefore some do it better than others. Listening to Brian Peters on Different Tongues, I somehow got the distinct feeling that Brian has got a lot more to offer than what is on this album. Released in 2003, you might say it was a brave attempt for him to qualify in the current trend of that time as a purveyor of sorrowful or angst-filled traditional songs, such as Kate Rusby, Eliza Carthy, June Tabor and a many others were doing at that time. As such the song content does sound a bit dated now. Thankfully, the trend seems to have now moved on to the more pleasant songs.
Don’t get me wrong, Brian sings very well, accompanying himself on the melodeon, concertina, and occasionally guitar. He has also enlisted some guest musicians including Gordon Tyrrall on guitar and backing vocals, Dave Pope on bass and guitar, Chris Peters on alto sax and Jeff Davis (U.S.A.) on fiddle and mandocello.
All but two of the 15 songs and tunes are traditional. The odd ones out are ‘Waltzing For Dreamers’ by Richard Thompson and an instrumental, ‘The Waters Edge’ composed by Brian. The album starts with what I think is the best song on the album, a lively version of ‘Jolly Roving Tar’, a song with American roots that is also known as ‘Get Up Jack, John Sit Down’. The next song is controversially interesting as it is a kind of slowed down version of the Steeleye Span hit ‘All Around My Hat’. Brian states in his sleeve notes, “Being in a bit of a misery myself, I decided to do it slow and mournful,” and with the help of supreme balladeer David Atkinson, they married a tune collected by Baring-Gould (who had replaced the original lyrics with a dreadful doggerel of his own) to a set of words popular amongst street traders. Brian decided to omit spoken asides between the verses. The result is what you hear on this album. For me the jury is still out over this one, as is my opinion about his treatment of the song ‘Outlandish Knight’, which receives a similar treatment. Most of the other songs such as ‘Bonny Bunch of Roses ‘O’, ‘Bold Lovell’, ‘The Gallant Poacher’ are interspersed with some lively sets of tunes, so the album flows quite well.
In conclusion, I must say, the traditional folk purists amongst you will enjoy this album. I have seen Brian perform live on a couple of occasions, both as solo artist and in a duo with Gordon Tyrrall and he was really good. For me this album simply does not do him credit.
(Pugwash Music, 2003)
