PETER & BARBARA SNAPE WITH POPPY WEATHERALL
Such Times As These

Well established in our corner of the country, and much favoured in the pages of FNW editions past, duo Peter and Barbara Snape have built their reputation on their strong interest in carefully researched and characterful traditional, mainly northern British songs. As such, they are firmly rooted in the musical traditions of the North West of England.

In the past, this has been reflected in their albums and projects, based around themes such as the broadside songs of Victorian Preston, songs of our coal and cotton towns along with material collected by song hunters and collectors such as Fred Hamer and in particular, Lancashire’s Anne Geddes Gilchrist OBE. As a result, we are treated, not only to the songs themselves but the stories and history they contain, as well as their origins and spread, thus they offer scholarship as well as entertainment – and are to be thanked for both.

Musically, there is much to enjoy on their latest album, Barabara’s voice is both pure and strong, but given her association with and understanding of the songs, fits into them like a hand in glove, accompanied and augmented by Peter on melodeon. Content wise, there isan excellent selection of songs, some familiar, some less so, the more recognisable possibly due to versions by other artists, and depending on your vintage, the work of Shirley Collins, Nic Jones, or more recently Jon Boden, but whatever their provenance and history, the duo – accompanied on occasion by fiddle player Poppy Weatherall - put their own mark on whichever songs they choose to deliver. There are several where Barbara delivers them unaccompanied, and it is on these tracks where the power of her voice is most apparent.

The a Capella versions presumably a reflection of their original mode of sharing, with tunes appended to the words at later dates and in various forms, indeed, the notes to accompany the Preston broadside The Stark Naked Robbery do state that the rune originally collected by Percy Granger was considered not very good and therefore replaced by the one used here by Roy Palmer.

The songs themselves appear to have been more widely sourced than in many of their previous collections, taking in countries way beyond FNW territory, taking in such foreign parts as Canada and Suffolk. The range of subjects also makes for an entertaining listen. There are the cautionary tales, laments for lost love, reflections on the life acquatic, whilst humour also abounds. The whole collection is rounded off by two Christmas carols, written, rather than collected by Anne Geddes Gilchrist, with The Shepherds, published in 1915, could be considered an early example of a charity single, as sold in sheet form for 1½d, raising money for the Southport ‘Soldier’s Christmas Comfort Fund’.

It has to be said that the song notes in the accompanying booklet are a godsend (thanks Barbara), making the album not just a satisfying and engaging listen, but a jolly good read too.

Those who already enjoy a selection of traditional songs will appreciate all that is on offer, whilst those of us less steeped in folk history may gain a deeper appreciation of where our current listening has come from. We would imagine that their presentations hold equal delight!

Visit Peter and Barbara's website

Buy the CD from Peter and Barbara's website