Musical Almanac by The Legendary Ten Seconds - © February 2022 catalogue number R304
Recorded throughout 2020 & 2021 in Torquay, Kingsteignton, Teignmouth and Madron Produced by Ian Churchward
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A general comment which is one of those rather subjective things that we have commented on before, but when comparing the tracks from this album with their counterparts on Songs About Devon, that album has a crisper sound to it, the definition of some of the instruments is greater. I've also noticed a similar difference when I listen across my two CD players so I now stick to one for a fairer comparison. It may be just the recording or you might have adjusted a few things.
1. Year of Three Kings (Richard III) - I like the intro to this, and the song has a nice gentle guitar and vocal and a pleasant melody. I like the instrumental break as well. It's quite different to the Richard III version which I also like. That version was a good fit to the album in terms of the way it sounds whereas this is more of a standalone song. Have to admit though that on this version I'm not sure about the backing vocals, sounds a bit like a beery pub crowd, sorry! I think it would have been better with just the lead vocal. However I do like this version more than the original.
2. Parson and the Clerk (Songs About Devon) - This version has a generally softer sound with a less prominent backing vocal than the Songs About Devon version, as well as losing the dual vocal arrangement. The accompaniment has a bit more going on in this version and carries right to the end of the song. I quite like the song and can't really say I like one version more than the other.
3. I'm Not Sure (new) - To be honest I'm not sure either! Sorry I couldn't resist that! I quite like the guitar accompaniment and the strings when they kick in, and the guitar break sounds good as well, but it's not quite my sort of song.
4. Teignmouth Wassail (Songs About Devon) - Like track 2 you've gone for a lead and backing vocal rather than a dual vocal arrangement as in the Songs About Devon version. Listening to this version has made me realise that I like this song more than I might have suggested before, it's a good song, both versions. I do like the fiddle when it makes an appearance, it makes a great intro. There's a lot going on in this song so I may be missing all the changes but I think the Songs About Devon version had a bit more variety. Or it may be that I just like that version more!
5. Lady Cable (The Pageant of Torquay Pt 1) - As I said originally this is a nice story although the song isn't a favourite of mine. In this version the lead guitar is more pronounced which sounds good, and you've lost the drums until the end of the song. The vocal arrangement sounds better as well. So this version is superior in my opinion.
6. Semi Acoustic Interlude (new) - You do have a knack of producing a nice instrumental track.This is a pleasant easy listen with a nice blend of instruments, and I like it.
7. Herald's Lament (Sunnes and Roses) - Like with track 1 the original version fits with the sound and style of that album and I have to admit I wasn't exactly keen on that. So I can say that I prefer this version. While the melody doesn't exactly appeal to me it does have a nice guitar accompaniment which is easy to listen to.
8. The Tar Barrels (Songs About Devon) - I've made a general comment about tracks on Songs About Devon sounding crisper than on this album and it's certainly the case here. Maybe your choice of instruments changed, or maybe it's my ears! On this version the verse accompaniments are richer where you have used some additional instruments as opposed to the single/dual guitars on Songs About Devon. The lead guitar on the instrumental break is really good but the break is about half the length of the Songs About Devon version which also has a nice bass driven second part. Overall I think I prefer the Songs About Devon version, but this is still the best song on this album with its great melody and variety of sounds.
9. Chris and Olive (Songs About Devon) - This version is longer than the Songs About Devon version even with the DJ intro on that version. The extra time comes from the instrumental break which is much more interesting with the lead guitar. Also the accompaniment in general has a bit more going on which lifts the song, so I definitely think this version is better.
10. City to Shore (new) - I like the bass on this song and it's particularly noticeable during the intro. I think in general this sounds a little different, it has an interesting beat and some nice instrumentals popping up in the song. The melody doesn't grab me but it's not a bad song.
11. A Horseman Came Riding (new) - I like the intro on this and the way the blend of those instruments continue through the song. Again it's not a song that really grabs me but it is pleasant enough. The vocals are good and it has some nice guitars.
12. Changing World (new) - Every time this song starts I can't help but think of Simon and Garfunkel, the guitars are quite in their style. It's a really nice and accomplished guitar piece, and although you write lots of nice guitar music, this is different. You've used strings on this album to good effect and they certainly sound nice on this track, and the guitar break is really good too. This would have been my favourite song if I hadn't liked Tar Barrels so much!
As always I hope this is of interest to you. I've had a quick listen to the Traditional Folk Songs CD you enclosed with my birthday card and must admit there are only a few tracks I recognise. I will listen to it in more detail in due course. Anyway I'm looking forward to seeing you and having a long awaited decent catch up. Very best wishes,
Rob.