GECKOES - Art Gecko (Ock Records OCK003GTi - 31 Edward Street, Abingdon, Oxon.)
Original albums from English dance bands are thin on the ground of late, which makes this excellent release all the more refreshing.
Not an over familiar tune or hackneyed arrangement to be seen as the reptilian ones delve into an expansive repertoire which includes 16th century dance tunes, Sussex hornpipes, Northumbrian fiddle tunes, material from Piemont and Texas and a smattering of original material.
Geckoes feature a line up of Caroline Ritson on fiddle, Dave Parry, melodeons, Andy Turner anglo-concertina, one row melodeon, John Keston-Hole, electric and acoustic guitars and Andy Cheyne on bass, mandolin, fiddle and acoustic guitar and Keith Chandler on triangle, tambourine and tabor.
They have been compared to a drummerless Oyster Band from the 'Tie-slackeners' era.
An interesting and unusual choice of material, with excellent arrangements.
Delving into the 15 tracks (one hour) at random, 'O Let Me In This Ae Night' has a delightful quirky sound, thanks to concertina, and evolves into a Breton circle dance, arranged to sound like an English step-hop.
Highly recommended - an essential purchase.
(Andy Hemsley)