Single review: MIKE PETERS & THE ALARM – In The Poppyfields

The Twenty First Century Recording Company [Release date 11.11.16]

These three songs were recorded on October 10 2015 in front of 2,000 fans at the Donald Gordon Theatre. Mike Peters and the Alarm were joined by the Welsh Pops Orchestra, the Morriston Male Voice Choir and Acquire. The whole concert has been released on CD/DVD/vinyl and this single is released on Remembrance Day, as the red poppy and remembrance form a major part of Mike Peters music and lyrics. It was Peters’ grandfather who inspired ‘In The Poppy Fields’ lyric after he heard the stories of his grandfather’s time being involved in WW1.

There are three songs on here, the title track which has a heartfelt performance from Mike Peters backed by the orchestra. ‘Rain In The Summertime’ has always been a personal Alarm favorite and it sounds great on here with the full orchestra working in tandem with the band. Final song is ‘Sixty Eight Guns’ and again the added orchestra gives the song a whole new direction. The choir joins in on the chorus to add further bombast to an already powerful song.

Hopefully this single will get Mike Peters & the Alarm back in the singles charts and it is a fitting way to commemorate Remembrance Day. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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