Formed in the Autumn of 2002, Black Rat are a 5 piece band that blend folk and rock music with an emphasis on English traditional styles of song and dance.Their debut album,"Telling!Tales", contains 9 songs by the band and 3 instrumental sets which celebrate some of the history of England's past.Woven Wheat Whispers said - Its funny how things happen sometimes. I was having a pint recently with an old friend of mine and the topic of conversation moved onto some of the great folk-rock bands from years past. We reminisced fondly about Steeleye and Fairport, we discussed Pyewackett, Ragged Heroes and Spriguns and with the possible exception of Show Of Hands, agreed there were actually very few new bands coming through who could create that special blend of British folk music and classic rock. Two days later, the album from Black Rat arrived and it quickly disproved my theory that great folk-rock has almost died out.This five-piece band formed in 2002 and recorded their debut album over the winter of 2005, releasing it to the public in May 2006. Their sound brings to mind all the afore mentioned groups and with the addition of some excellent flute playing from Liz Hextall you can also add mid 70s Jethro Tull to the list. John English adds some gloriously rocking electric guitar to the proceedings, while mandolin player Steve Hamilton delivers some workmanlike vocals that have both a folk edge and the guts to pull off the fusion of rock and folk styles. Backline duties are handled by Tony Haggis (bass) and Rick Cox (drums). Both prove themselves to be versatile players and equally at home with quieter numbers or meatier, up-tempo tracks.This 12-track album will have a wide appeal across the folk community and the three tracks offered as samples below will give you a good idea of the groups diversity. My Familiars Names Are is a near seven minute instrumental track split into three parts comprising a hornpipe, an air and a reel, this gives each player the chance to stretch his or her wings and give a contemporary twist to the traditional dance styles.Grey Daylight is a calm, atmospheric song that deals with the tragedy of a man facing a dawn firing squad during the Great War. Simple but thought provoking, this is a track that begs to be more widely heard.The Elder Tree is the longest track on the album and its subject matter is that of faerie enchantment. The combination of light and exquisite flute work with powerful electric guitar makes an intoxicating sound and full marks must be given to engineer Angus Wallace for capturing both the power and finesses of Ricks drumming. This is as good a folk rock song as youre ever likely to hear and is one of many gems in this wonderful collection of songs
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