Amazing Blondel - On With The Show/In Per Ostendo

Unconvincing live and unreleased cuts from folk trio

Named after Richard The Lionheart’s favourite wandering minstrel, Blondel de Nesle, (who apparently saved the King’s life with song), Amazing Blondel were a trio of folk musicians who reinvented renaissance standards in the early 70s– sometimes, though not as often as is thought, in a psychy vein.

This collection of rare demos and live, unreleased recordings from their entire career is really afters for those well versed in their studio work and, indeed, there are far better retrospectives out there. Their early acoustic work, recorded on an arsenal of period instruments, stands up best. Weavers Market, Blackbirds & Thrushes and Love Sonnet, all traditionally based and enjoyable, sit uncomfortably next to the poorly-judged folk-rock they later peddled. Night Life, for example, is simply embarrassing considering the virtuosity and versatility Blondel previously displayed.

Even in the narrow field they inhabited, the collective talents of Amazing Blondel never really made a lasting impact, but their intelligent appropriation of renaissance music is not entirely without charm. There is, therefore, little here for anyone but the acolytes to get excited about, which is a shame. With the likes of Circulus doing very nicely on a similar tip, these talented minstrels deserve a little more recognition.

Secret Records | CRIDE 72

Reviewed by Jan Zarebski
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