RED JASPER – Sting In The Tale

Angel Air www.angelair.co.uk

Recorded in 1990 but set squarely in Thatcher’s Britain of the previous decade, this folk prog five-piece  nails its politics firmly to the mast of the Left, lambasting state authority and control, jingoism, corporate greed and corruption from every quarter. Founder and front man Davey Dodds’ vocal stylings take getting used to, but a few listens in and it all starts to take shape. Unapologetically barbed, droll and razor-sharp lyrics are squeezed into phlegm-flecked shouting over sawing acoustics and supercharged sax while guest Fairport Ric Saunders lends nimble flourishes of violin, the effect a curious blend of Billy Bragg and Van der Graaf Generator (a parpingly-proggish ‘Secret Society’) by way of the Dropkick Murphys. Three bonus tracks here reveal added polish in ‘Pull that Thumb (Off The Top Of Your Head)’ and ‘Flagpole’ while dramatic closer ‘England’s Green And Pleasant Land?’ is a reflective even plaintive piece revealing a more rounded talent than initial impression would suggest.

Peter Muir ****


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One Response to RED JASPER – Sting In The Tale

  1. Pingback: Red Jasper – A Midsummer Night’s Dream/The Winter’s Tale | Get Ready to ROCK! Reviews | Interviews | Blog

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