Fred Thomas - The Beguilers (2015)

The rich history of English language poetry has been a source of inspiration for musicians and singers. Blake’s verse was always meant to be sung. Shakespeare’s plays are full of songs. Even Thomas Hardy’s poems often appear in a form that resembles traditional balladry. Successful interpreters have ranged from Alfred Deller, who popularised lyrics by Shakespeare, Campion, and Ben Johnson among others, to the Divine Comedy, whose output includes a chamber pop reading of Wordsworth’s Lucy.

Joining this distinguished line is composer and songwriter Fred Thomas. His latest offering, The Beguilers, brings together a host of accomplished musicians – Dave Shulman on Bass, Liam Byrne on viola da gamba, Malte Hage on clarinet, Ellie Rusbridge singing – to tackle a range of poetic subject matter, from Shakespeare to James Joyce. ~folkradio

Ellie Rusbridge – vocals
Dave Shulman - clarinets
Liam Byrne – viola da gamba
Malte Hage – electric bass
Fred Thomas – guitars, keyboards, double bass, gamba, cello percussion

Tracklist:
1.01 - Fred Thomas - A Dream (2:57)
1.02 - Fred Thomas - The Little Boy Lost (5:02)
1.03 - Fred Thomas - Fall, Leaves, Fall (6:09)
1.04 - Fred Thomas - The Night Wind (2:46)
1.05 - Fred Thomas - Gentle Lady (6:09)
1.06 - Fred Thomas - Lover's Tale (4:21)
1.07 - Fred Thomas - Mother, I Cannot Mind My Wheel (4:29)
1.08 - Fred Thomas - Ask Me No More (4:53)
1.09 - Fred Thomas - Love To Faults is Always Blind (4:38)
1.10 - Fred Thomas - Rest, Sweet Nymphs (5:08)
1.11 - Fred Thomas - Take, O Take Those Lips Away (4:19)
1.12 - Fred Thomas - A Cradle Song (4:55)