Ashley Hutchings
Album: By Gloucester Docks I Sat Down and Wept
Label: Talking Elephant
Tracks: 18
Website: http://www.folkicons.co.uk/ashley.htm

"By Gloucester Docks I Sat Down and Wept" by Ashley Hutchings was originally released in 1987. I bought it then and still have [and treasure] my original vinyl copy. For those who have not had the pleasure of hearing this fine piece of work by The Guv'nor, do not despair, as the excellent Talking Elephant Records has recently re-released the album on CD.

I was fortunate to meet up with Ashley recently and I asked him for his own view of "By Gloucester Docks". His answer was most definite, "It's the best thing that I have done outside the groups [Fairport, Steeleye, Albions ]. Yes, it's the best". I would certainly not argue with Ashley, as it is a superbly accomplished piece of work.

For those who are not familiar with this album, it is an integral, thematic work [I hesitate to use the words "concept album"] which tells the story, through song and spoken word, of a doomed extra-marital love affair which runs the gamut of emotions from joy to inevitable sorrow. In telling the story Ashley employs many of the musical styles for which he is justly famous- folk-rock, traditional folk song, dance tunes and even medieval influences.

In order to realise his musical vision, Ashley assembled an all-star cast of players and singers, including several Albion Band/Albion Country Band members [ Polly Bolton, Phil Beer, Graeme Taylor, Dave Whetstone, John Shepherd and Steve Ashley] as well as Clive Gregson, Christine Collister and Pete Zorn [who had all been members of Richard Thompson's Band]. On drums was Dave Mattacks, who was, for many years, Fairport's drummer.

For the spoken word sections Michael Pennington provides "his voice" and Marilyn Cutts "her voice" whilst the respective singing voices are Ashley's and Polly's.

Unlike some "concept albums " that I could mention, the songs stand on their own merits and do not sound as though they have been "shoehorned" in order to fit the narrative.

For the most part, Polly sings the ballads and Ashley the more rocky numbers. Of the former, the real gem and centrepiece of the album is "Brief Encounter", which recalls the film of the same name. Beautifully sung by Polly Bolton, this is a masterful piece of songwriting which stands on its own two feet. Another gorgeous ballad is the traditional-sounding "To Ireland I Made My Way", which as well as Polly's lovely vocals, features Mick Doonan on Irish pipes.

Another feature of the album is the consistently excellent lead guitar-playing of Graeme Taylor, particularly on the rockier numbers, such as "Ring On Her Finger" and "Don't Look Back".

"By Gloucester Docks" is a beautifully observed portrayal of a love affair and its repercussions. When I spoke to Ashley I received the very clear understanding that he is immensely proud of this album and, indeed, he has every reason to be. As fellow Fairport founder member Simon Nicol says of "By Gloucester Docks" it's "not just heartfelt and personal but beautiful, original and fresh. Twenty six years on, I have heard nothing remotely like it". Simon, I couldn't have put it better myself.

Peter Cowley