Banter: Hard Times
Album Release
RELEASES
Jon Cooper
Banter are a Folk band, that have been growing in popularity and reputation over the last few years. Playing to larger and larger crowds across the busy Folk festival calendar. With four studio albums under their belt already, they have just released their fifth, ‘Hard Times’. As is a tradition with folk bands, it a mix of their own music, and reworked traditional tunes. No Paramore in sight though.
The album’s title is in fact taken from opening track ‘Hard Times of Old England’ an updated Napoleonic era song, it’s almost a mini last night of the proms with the elements it captures in just a few minutes. With a plea for unity that rings as much true today as it ever did. For those unfamiliar with Banter, this track is a good introduction to their musical versatility through the range of instruments.
In fact the whole album shows their versatility, with a wide range of sounds incorporated. The changing vocals from Nina to Tim, the whole band or a combination thereof also keeps the variation coming. Of course no vocals in the three wonderful tunes that are included too. From the outset, I liked the energy of the album, it has studio crispness with live band vitality.
It wouldn’t be a folk album without a tale of lost love and death. ‘The Lowlands of Holland’, beautifully sung with a haunting quality gives us that fix. There are some lighter moments too such as ‘I was a Young Man’ be careful what you wish for when looking for love in the throes of youth. The many sides and risks involved in our complex human relationships on full show in two numbers.
Those who have seen them live in the last 18 months or so will recognise some of the tracks that have been in recent setlists. Particularly the intriguing reggae version of ‘Haul Away Joe’ , yes a traditional sea shanty to a beat more at home on the shores of Kingston Jamaica, than on your CD player in Kingston Upon Thames. But, also yes, it works perfectly. Got to admire bands that are happy to try something new.
With the new, there’s a place for the old too with a rousing version of ‘New York Girls’ another traditional tune. After being very used to the sound of Jon Boden singing this one, it was aural double take with a female voice taking the lead. Last track is John Tam’s ‘Rolling Home’, a staple of their recent live performances I alluded to earlier. Much as it closes their gigs perfectly it performs the same function and brings it all to a tight close.
This is probably my favourite Banter album so far. For anyone coming to them new, either from this album directly or having caught them at festival it would be a good place to start to get a feel for all they have to offer and the many different strands to their musical diversity. Though if it your first bit of Banter, I also recommend you check out the rest of their catalogue too. Another five star masterpiece from an outstanding group of musicians.