Steve Ashley – Stroll On (Gull 1974)

I stumbled upon this one by total accident, but I’m glad I did. ‘Stroll On’ was the first album by this relatively unknown artist, but it was widely praised upon release. So much so, in fact, that ‘Stroll On’ was ranked folk album of 1974 (in the UK at least)! Today it’s by some people regarded as a lost treasure. Personally, at first I wasn’t all that impressed, but the album has really grown on me throughout the years, and I now regard it as a very good and listenable folk album. Everything is played convincingly, but that is to be expected as the album features several guest musicians from both Fairport Convention and The Albion Band (Ashley himself was apparantly a member of the latter). The album opener ‘Fire and Wine’ starts off with some medieval-sounding chanting, but the song soon enough turns into something very catchy. It has a great melody, and Steve Ahley was certainly a very good folk singer – and with a style all of his own actually. ‘Silly Summer Games’ is another catchy song, and yes: It’s very easy to think of lazy summer afternoons with drink in hand and playing something silly, when you’re listening to this one. But these two are the only uptempo songs on an otherwise melancholy and thoughtful album. And it’s this side of the album I prefer. The album seems to be very occupied with the seasons and the different moods they evoce in us. Not sure if this is a concept album, but it could be. Anyway, songs like ‘Springsong’, ‘Finite Time’, ‘Candlemas Carol’ and not at least the album closer ‘Follow On’ (probably my absolute favourite) are simply great folk music with very haunting and beautiful melodies. Several of these songs also feature string arrangements, and it’s all done in a very tasteful way. The album is well produced, but thankfully not over-produced, as that would have ruined the many strong melodies here. ‘Lord Bateman’ is the only song on the album I’m not that fond of. It’s the one ‘epic’ on the album, but I find it too repetitive – and Ashley actually sound a bit corny on this one, in my opinion. Strange, as on all the other songs he sings in a very natural, relaxed and at the same time emotinal way. Anyway, this album is recommended – at least for the serious folk collector. But it’s not essential.