The Acoustic Years (1993-1997)

Significant changes occurred leading up to the Albion Band's mid-'90s resurgence. Tracks from their studio albums from this period are revisited here. The addition of Chris While and Julie Matthews, who both contribute immeasurably in the songwriting and vocal departments, yields a vastly different sound — acoustic, contemporary folk — as opposed to the British folk-rock sound which has become synonymous with Albion and their various manifestations. The absence of a drummer allows Ashley Hutching's acoustic bass to be noticed and appreciated as never before, and the three fiddlers utilized during this period create a freshness and individuality with each respective recording: Ashley Reed on Acousticity (1993), Chris Leslie on Demi Paradise (1996), and Joe Broughton, who played on the previously unreleased tracks from the 1997 lineup. Acoustic guitarist and vocalist Simon Nicol has become an Albion staple, having performed with them regularly since the mid-'70. He appears with them on all but the most recent Broughton lineup of 1997.