The Legendary 10 Seconds

History Book (Part 2) - ©2020 Richard III Records catalogue number R301

Promo Video

To Buy CD click below Price £10

Also available on | Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon

History Book Part Two, March 2020.

1. Song of a metal detectorist - About Ashley Mantle's favourite hobby.
2. A rare romance - Roger Mortimer escapes from the Tower of London and flees to France.
3. Cade's rebellion - The rebellion of 1450. 
4. De Cobham - Song for the De Cobham household Wars of the Roses reenactment group.
5. Ricardian dream – Alternative history in which Richard III defeats Henry Tudor in battle.
6. Charles Howard's English fleet - The English fleet after the defeat of the Spanish Armada. 
7. The Mayflower sets sail - The Pilgrim Fathers leave Plymouth in the Mayflower.
8. Gallants Bower - Song about the Civil War fort on the hill above Dartmouth castle.
9. The Blenheim song - The Franco-Bavarian army is defeated in battle in August1704.
10. James Templer's legacy - Song about the Stover canal which was opened in 1792.
11. Sitting in a trench - Song about the First World War.
12. Wait until the harvests in – The Munich treaty peace talks are in vain.

Recorded in Torbay at Rock Lee, Rainbow Starshine and Otherworld studios from 2013 to 2019 Produced by Lord Z

Reviews

As to the Legendary Ten Seconds album, well it really is fascinating stuff, and a bit unique. I think you have managed superb sound separation, and have been able to bring the vocals to the fore when needed, and then certain instruments. Very good mastering and production!!

Some of the themes remind me a little of Genesis who often wrote semi-historic lyrics. These lyrics though are truly historic. I wondered even if schools might be interested in accessing copies for their history curriculum.

On track 1 I liked your opening and I'm glad the bouzouki is still proving to be playable. The vocals are strong too.

 On track 2 is there a Hammond in the background? Sounds good. Interesting lyrics on this track.

 On track 3 I think it is very clever how you have brought the vocals right up to the front. There are loads of historical references in this song.

For track 4 I think the choral sound is quite brilliant. The story is pretty fascinating too. 

With track 5 the intro is lovely and the whole track really brings the battle of Bosworth to life, it kind of paints a picture of the fight. 

Track 6 gives us the real background to 1588, quite tragic really even though the Armada was defeated.....albeit mainly because of the weather!!

 I guess you open track 7 too, and are you playing a mando in the background? There are some great harmonies and lyrics on this track. 

On track 8 I must say the references to the Civil War make me think of Brexit, our very own recent civil war!! ('At a terrible cost' as the lyrics say).

Track 9 is really interesting. A great intro, and excellent lyrics. 'The reason for fighting is not understood', it's not surprising as the Spanish succession was a complicated thing, all tied in with Catholicism and the break with the pope etc. 

Track 10 brings back a few memories. Libby an I like canals, and have had several breaks on the Kennet and Avon for example. All good stuff. The track is so full of history, and you bring out the instrumentation really well.  

With track 11 I was interested in the sound effects, how did you get hold of them? Libby and I saw the film '1917' before the virus appeared and this track brought quite a lot back. 

Finally, with track 12 there is another leap into more modern times. I reckon a whole new album could be created around tracks 11 and 12. Just a thought.

Anyhow Phil, thanks for sending this to me. I think you have created a superb 'soundscape' Excellent stuff.

So, enough of my ramblings, do stay safe all of you.

Shaun Newman (Guitar maker) :http://shaunnewmanguitars.co.uk/

History Book Part Two. A New Album By The Legendary Ten Seconds. Dikon Independent Review

I am always intrigued to review a new album by The Legendary Ten Seconds. These musical time travellers go buzzing off in their time machine and I’m never sure where they will end up! This time they have excelled in the breadth of history they have covered; from medieval mayhem with Richard III, then on to the Civil War, and then we board the Mayflower, visit the trenches of Flanders and then experience the prelude to World War Two in Europe. We also have a song about the metal detectorists, presumably scouring the ground for anything they may have missed in History Book Part Two! I should love to see a video that could accompany this CD!

As before, Ian Churchward and his merry band of accomplished musicians and singers, have not just invented songs with random lyrics. They have thoroughly researched the subjects and projected it with modern interpretations of musical history utilising their vast range of modern and period instruments. Of note is a refreshing and moralistic tone to this CD that does nothing to glorify that basic ingredient of history, war, but reflects on the insanity of it all.

I particularly enjoyed the soulful guitar and measured lament of “Wait until the Harvest’s In” with its comment on the failure of a very sick Neville Chamberlain to prevent the blood lust of the Nazis turning Europe into a fiery cauldron. Also on a similar vein “Sitting In a Trench” offered us a Tommy’s atmospheric harmonica, vainly competing with the rattle of Maxim guns and Lee Enfields, with the occasional eighteen inch howitzer shell thrown in. This was of particular interest to me as my cousin was Elsie Griffin. She entertained troops with her singing in France in WW1, and was given two famous songs to promote by the lyricist Fred Wetherley: Danny Boy and Roses of Picardy.

“The Mayflower Sets Sail” gives us a feel of the rolling ocean and the fear of those 102 pilgrims in 1620 as they faced the unknown hazards of a dangerous voyage in a leaky bucket of a ship and what might happen to them when they arrived at a very hostile location. “James Templer’s Legacy” is an interesting “rock” number in the sense that it’s about the restoration of the Stover Canal which was used in conjunction with the Granite Tramway to bring granite rocks down from high on Dartmoor. Another intriguing peek into Devon history!

Although the Satnav on their time machine may have gone completely haywire this time, and taken us all over the centuries, The Legendary Ten Seconds have produced a CD of quality with lots of varied interest for all history buffs to enjoy. Is that the buzz of a metal detector I can hear?