Gentle Men
| Gentle Men | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Roy Bailey, Vera Coomans, Robb Johnson, Koen De Cauter and the Golden Serenaders | ||||
| Released | 1997 | |||
| Recorded | 27–29 August 1997 | |||
| Genre | Folk | |||
| Length | tbc | |||
| Label | Irregular Records | |||
| Producer | Piet Chielens | |||
| Roy Bailey chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Robb Johnson chronology | ||||
| ||||
Gentle Men is an album released in 1997 by
First World War, and was released as part of the Vredesconcerten Passendale
(Paschendale Peace Concerts) series.
Concept
Johnson based the songs on the album around the experiences of his two grandfathers at the
glassblower and amateur musician, who served as a bandsman in the Royal Army Medical Corps from 1915 until the conclusion of the war in 1918. His maternal grandfather, Henry Robert Jenner, enlisted despite being underage and served with the Post Office Rifles. When his true age was discovered, he was allocated duties away from the frontline, but was eventually sent back to the trenches. Despite being affected by a mustard gas
attack, he also survived the war.
Credits
According to the sleevenotes, Bailey, Johnson and Coomans all contribute lead vocals, and Johnson also plays
drums
. Piet Chielens produced the album, which was recorded and mixed by Rudy Dekeyzer. All songs were written by Johnson and arranged by De Cauter and his band.
Reception
Allmusic described the songs as "moving" and stated that it was one of the best albums of Johnson's career.[4] Mojo named the album Folk Album of the Month, and The Daily Telegraph chose it as Folk Album of the Year.[5]
Track listing
Disc One
| # | Title | Vocalist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grandfathers | Johnson | 2:35 |
| 2 | A Gentleman Always Wants Horses | Bailey | 4:35 |
| 3 | Three Brothers | Bailey | 3:48 |
| 4 | And Then the Trumpet Sounded | Coomans | 2:46 |
| 5 | Deeper Than Dugouts | Coomans | 3:57 |
| 6 | R.S.M. Schofield Is My Shepherd |
Bailey | 3:38 |
| 7 | I Played for Kitchener | Johnson | 2:23 |
| 8 | At the Mercy of the Guns | Bailey | 2:52 |
| 9 | A Garden | Coomans | 3:08 |
| 10 | Bloody Medals | Bailey | 3:48 |
| 11 | Soldier On | Bailey | 2:40 |
| 12 | Empty Chair | Coomans | 2:56 |
Disc Two
| # | Title | Vocalist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Noni and His Golden Serenaders | Johnson | 4:10 |
| 2 | The Boy of My Dreams | Coomans | 2:32 |
| 3 | When Harry Took Me to See Ypres | Coomans | 3:56 |
| 4 | Sweet Dreams | Bailey | 3:29 |
| 5 | The Silence of the Salient | Johnson | 4:31 |
| 6 | Whistle | Bailey | 3:18 |
| 7 | The Music from Between the Wars | Bailey | 4:57 |
| 8 | Nobody's Enemy | Johnson | 4:17 |
| 9 | The German Exchange | Johnson | 3:14 |
| 10 | Hindsight | Bailey | 1:58 |
| 11 | Dead Man's Pennies | Coomans | 4:13 |
| 12 | Candles in the Rain | Johnson | 2:55 |
| 13 | Making the Gardens Grow | Johnson | 3:51 |
In 2000 Johnson performed the songs from the album at a Remembrance Day concert in Worcester with a band which included Russell Churney.[2] He also re-recorded the song "When Harry Took Me To See Ypres", providing the lead vocals himself, on his 2005 album A Beginner's Guide.
References
- ISBN 1-85828-635-2.
World Music: The Rough Guide. 1999.
- ^ a b "Tribute to a grandfather". Worcestershire, West Midlands, Herefordshire, and Shropshire Counties Publications. 10 November 2000. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
- ^ Living Tradition review
- ^ Allmusic.com
- ^ "Popular folk singer at the Oak". Wiltshire County Publications. 23 January 2004. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
