TOGETHER ALL THE WAY

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Another from the classic “Levelling The Land” – “Sell Out” – is so on point for 2023. These are its opening lines: The year was 1991, it seems that freedom is dead and gone/The power of the rich is held by few/Keep the young paralysed, educated by your lies.” That was 32 years ago, lest you need reminding. That was before the most right wing government in the history of this country began its planned destruction of the welfare state and the NHS to make their mates with hedge funds richer. There are those who think bands should “stay in their lane” and not discuss issues. Those people are wrong. And those words underline why it matters, why the need to keep writing about things that matter is always going to be there. Its not about Tories v Labour anymore, Starmer has seen to that. Its about us against them. They will sell you down the river. Something rather different for me to be reviewing here! I’ve been a fan of Levellers since the release of their best-known album “ Levelling the Land“, which is quite some time! However, I have never caught any of their live acoustic shows that they have done over the years. So once this album was offered to me, I jumped at it.

First song Down by the River ‘O’ The song was written by friend and collaborator Rev Hammer about the Great Flood of 1968 in Buntingford What that show proved, though, was that the best songs always translate, and also that if The Levellers had chosen to go down a more conventional folk route they’d have been brilliant at that too. On to much more familiar territory next with “ Battle of The Beanfield“. Live at a full gig, this has always been a powerful song, which if you know what it’s about adds to the power. So to digress slightly, and let those of you who don’t know the song subject, here we go. On June 1st 1985, Wiltshire Police stopped a convoy of new-age Travellers from getting to Stonehenge. As this was not long after the miner’s strikes, the police went in with the same violent and brutal mentality, smashing vehicles and pretty much beating up any Traveller they could, including pregnant women and those carrying young children. It was going to be interesting then to hear how this song played out in this acoustic format. There’s a few of them here. “Battle Of The Beanfield” has always been a personal favourite and with the addition of the wonderful cello here from Hannah Moule from the Moulettes gives it an added urgency, an even more ominous tinge. And today we are happy to share the first song from the album Down by the River ‘O’ is out with a new video. The song is available to stream now on all platforms HEREGoods that are faulty or sent in error must be returned to Crash Records Limited, 35 The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 6PU within 7 working days of the item being received by the customer.

Levellers were joined again by Hannah and Ollie from the Moulettes on cello, vocals and percussion plus the mighty Dan Donnelly on his first official Levellers recording.First song Down by the River ‘O’ The song was written by friend and collaborator Rev Hammer about the Great Flood of 1968 in Buntingford.A hugely successful studio album with ‘Peace’ cemented their return to to top tier of the UK charts and reminded us that musicians could sing about the toughest of topics and still make a song enjoyable, an artform lost on many artists these days sadly. Levellers were joined again by Hannah and Ollie from the Moulettes on cello, vocals and percussion plus the mighty Dan Donnelly on his first official Levellers recording. And there’s a comfort in this, a comfort that bands like The Levellers exist and make this music, music that is not superficial. There’s a line on “Wheels” that says “just don’t fake life”. “Together All The Way” rather explains that they’ve never done that, and they never will. Even if “they” are laughing at you and me, still. This is the sound of defiance. Like folk always was, it’s the music of the people.

Levellers have announced new acoustic album Together All The Way - the follow up to their 2018 Top 20 album We The Collective. The Album will be available on Limited edition Red Vinyl and CD. A swirling sweep of strings and juddering lop-sided rhythm greet a lurching Together All The Way. From their debut and a fitting song to entitle this project, it encapsulates the folky tropes that have always permeated their canon. Some lovely slide guitar here, too. And some tinkling mandolin from Donnelly. Wake The World benefits from the additional cello and vocal presence of the Moulettes, and has lasted better than some of the songs from the “difficult” mid-period Green Blade Rising, when the band was trying to persuade their audience that they had a lasting credibility. And, having endured, they weren’t far wrong, were they?

On The Go

Selected items are only available for delivery via the Royal Mail 48® service and other items are available for delivery using this service for a charge. The other pair of fresh cuts are true highlights. The beautiful “Man O’ War” written by newest member Dan Donnelly, puts us straight into the dread of a soldier about to go to war. Reminiscent of Billy Bragg’s late period work, there’s a warmth, a deftness and a skill here. Levellers release a new acoustic album Together All The Way - the follow up to their 2018 Top 20 album We The Collective.

Now, let’s get this right, so we don’t get it wrong. New Levellers album, right? Yes, sort of. All new material, then? Well, no, but this isn’t just another rebundling, remixed and revived, live or otherwise. Remember Collective, that 2018 set that, um, revived and rebundled songs in an acoustic and semi-orchestral setting, rather good actually, even if. This is a continuation of that, hence the name, albeit with a couple of tweaks to the template. Tweak one is the formal introduction of Dan Donnelly to the ranks. yup, that Dan Donnelly, the Wonderstuff and Celtic Social Club fella, on guitar, mandolin and additional vocals, who has been gigging with the band for a while now. I understand Simon Friend hasn’t left as such, and that Donnelly is additional, even if Friend doesn’t currently take part. And tweak two is two new songs. The first song ‘Down by the River ‘O’ is available now on all streaming platforms and was written by friend and collaborator Rev Hammer about the Great Flood of 1968 in Buntingford. And 2023 is an extra special year for the Levellers as not only do they celebrate 35 years of being a band, but it will also be the 20th Anniversary of their hugely acclaimed Beautiful Days Festival, one of the biggest independent music festivals in the UK. And 2023 is an extra special year for the Levellers as not only do they celebrate 35 years of being a band, but it will also be the 20 th Anniversary of their hugely acclaimed Beautiful Days Festival, one of the biggest independent music festivals in the UK.

Recommendations

As has been proven by bands such as Nirvana, acoustic versions of their songs take on a new life. The seven re-workings on here add weight to that point. Covering 5 of the studio albums namely “ Levelling The Land“, “ Weapon Called The World“, “ Green Blade Rising“, “ Truth & Lies”, and “ Letters From The Underground“. The second acoustic album from Levellers featuring guests from folk band The Moulettes gives a new twist to older songs. What helped him get through his terrible addiction was for us to say: “The band is over without you. We’re not going to replace you. We’re not going to carry on.” Jeremy couldn’t let that happen. He realised he had something bigger than himself to look after, and he worked for that rather than himself. Charlie is married to the same girlfriend he was with when that photo was taken. He’s got a whole family. I don’t – I still live on my own, but our friendship has stayed pretty much the same. We are easy-going people, have similar beliefs and still really enjoy each other’s company. We’re not that emotional when it comes to talking to each other, but Charlie has been a brilliant friend.