Bellowhead
Album: Pandemonium - The Essential Bellowhead
Label: Navigator
Tracks: 13
Website: http://www.bellowhead.co.uk

'Essential' and 'Bellowhead' - two words which over the past decade have been a well matched pair. The band's impending finale may indicate a need for such a product, but Bellowhead have proved much more essential from the manner in which they've made a genuine contribution to the folk genre and used their oomph, for want of a better word, to project the genre back into a higher profile. Into the mainstream if you like. They've broken barriers and set new standards and achievements and remain keen to go out on a high.

Thirteen tracks may be unlucky for some, particularly for those fans of this fine group of gentlemen and lady who make up Bellowhead, but billed as a personal selection from the band, the release is aimed fairly and squarely at those who might have missed the ride and wondered what all the fuss is/was about. The fans will have all the material anyway, carefully acquiring the five studio albums plus the 'test the water' first release E.P.Onymous so are unlikely to be rebuying unless for the sake of completeness - the bane of collectors - or for the randomly colourful cover art and graphics which may provide a few moments entertainment in picking out various Bellowhead visual references.

Some may baulk at this release being a missed opportunity. Some sort of bonus tracks, live versions, unreleased songs, remixes etc are usually de rigeur or the sort of USP which attract the hardcore fans to these sort of releases, but with an eye on their final run of gigs this November and next April, surely a record of the live show will follow for those who need a prolonged fix or memory of the live Bellowhead experience. In fact, such a good album title may well have been better kept in hand for that very release.

This collection then finds the thirteen tracks balanced heavily in favour of the latter day albums. Predicatble in the main, many could make a decent stab at guessing the bulk of the tracklist. Just four tracks from the first EP and the following two albums, while the last three albums are represented by nine songs. We've all made our own playlists or CDRs for the car so no doubt that the absence of 'Lilibulero' or 'Rambling Sailor' - the very first song on the very first EP, is an indication of the fact that you can't please all the people all the time. Everyone will suggest at least one track they'd like to tag on the end. However, a genuine gripe might attest to the fact that one notable aspect missing in the selection is a tune, an instrumental, a chance to jump around, nod your head, tap your foot or slap your thigh as you would during a show. There are enough in the catalogue and enough spare time on the disc to have squeezed one in - hardly a case of just one more wafer thin mint which could blow the whole thing apart. However, it may be thirteen as testament to the thirteen players who have been part of the band during its life. Just mere speculation but a chance to salute those in the original line up - Giles Lewin and Gideon Juckes, who didn't make it to the end of the journey.

In the grand scheme of things 'Pandemonium' might ultimately be considered an unnecessary collection or expense but then aren't all 'Best Of's? It may serve a purpose for this years Christmas market or as an introduction rather than a farewell and open the odd door which remains oblivious to their charms, but also stands as a nice little record of some of their key songs.

Mike Ainscoe