Ah, hello again. So you couldn’t resist.
Firstly, this appears to have been locked in a deep vault, untouched, for many years. The quality of the sleeve and vinyl is extraordinary. It hasn’t been but it’s the first thing you notice. Secondly, and more interesting to those who listen to music rather than collect. The technical ability of the musicians on offer is extraordinary. Davy Johnstone and Chris Simpson play together beautifully, none more so than on ‘Spend’, my favourite track. The acoustic guitars and percussion throughout are outstanding. Clearly performed by very gifted musicians who were almost playing as one.
And then there is the sound itself. Described in one publication as a progressive rock group, I would disagree. Very much with a strong folk undertone (imo), witness song titles such as ‘The bridge at Knaresborough town’ and ‘Isle of Skye’, this, in my small brain cell, suggests where their roots were honed. But then there are break outs. ‘Country Jam’ is exactly that and ‘Good morning sun’ takes its theme from the title itself. A bright, jingly, up-lifting tune that you would struggle to connect to a folk scene. Similarly, the last track ‘Home groan’ has some electric passages, almost hoe-down feel at times. So, there are surprises and they blend really well to provide an introspection of what was Magna in their early days.
