on the Free Music Archive
Camelot Calling (Side 1)
An "inter-review" by Willy Neilson with Clive Masters
I LOVE Camelot Calling side 1 (the only side available for review at time of writing). This is clearly an apparent work of much hard work and effort, and it shows. A lot of detailed instrumentation and vocals, a lot of genuinely good folk musicality, and witty lyricism. I can hardly believe how good it is. Also the track order is VERY well judged. And it hangs together, and conjures up a feeling of a world (in Honiton) of small town folk success and small-minded beardy hippy fantasists - in a very clever and subtle way. Here are my comments on it track by track, including guesses as song titles. Am I right?
Clive: Thanks. Sometimes.
Pantaloon Jamboree
Willy: Pantaloon Jamboree? This made me wet myself - the opening lines are hilarious especially. It's a great album opener - really sets the scene (Honiton). What does Wendy say towards the end - "Oh look, there's..." [inaudible]??? I am listening to this multiple times, in fact I have done, but I am still doing. It's the most accessible.
Clive: Agreed. Great opener. Wendy says "Oh look! There's my runaway pea!" as she spotted said missing green ball from our earlier meal as we were recording. This phrase will not be included in the printed lyrics in an attempt to start some sort of cultish interest in Nutmeg's indecipherable vocals. Well done on the song title, you got it Willy.
'Pon My Moosy Grove
Willy: 'Pon (My) Mossy Grove? A song with a story, and a heart, and a murder, and very good harmonies. This one has quite clean and good singing on it. I like the repetitve strum at the end very much - it could in fact go on longer.
Clive: Glad you like the harmonies. This one is my favourite. No brackets in the song title Willy.
Ode to an (Oaf in an) Upright Oaktree
Willy: Ode to an Oaf in an Upright Oak Tree? I like the fact that this one is different from the others, quite hard-folk. *Too much* folk for my tastes.
Clive: Benji's twinkling keyboard is ace on this. Love the words too - ain't nothing too folky for me. Actual real folk fans who accidentally listen to the album will go for this one. There were brackets in this song title Willy.
Mystical Picnic
Willy: The Mystical Picnic? Nice effects. Puts me in mind of Bowie in his heyday (usually Tuesdays, I think?). I like how you slowed it down for this one, and went more instrumental. Sinisiter laughter from Clive, makes me smile. This is in fact my current favourite (admittedly I am typing this while listening to it, and haven't heard the others yet). It's the most *listenable* so far.
Clive: Can't identify the Bowie in this, but whatever, yeah? My least favourite by miles. Wish I'd never written it. Thought everyone would hate it! What do I know, eh?Just Mystical Picnic Willy.
The Beginner's Guide To Elvish
Willy: Learn About Elvish? A children's classic - and a nightmare - it's brilliantly funny but like nails down a blackboard all at the same time. It's like that old TV children's programme which had a yellow triangle who taught you how to spell. It might have had Ronnie Corbett inside. TisWas? BizWiz? WizWaz? Or did I dream it? Anyway that's what it's like.
Clive: Think this one is more Bowie. The Laughing Gnome crossed with some weird kid's TV show theme (as you said). Very keen on the way this one turned out. Kudos to Benji. Beginner's Guide Willy.
Take Me Home Emily (I'm Tired) (Notes on a Festival)
Willy: Emily, I'm Tired (Take Me Home)? This is a beautiful song, and one I relate to. I almost always want to be taken home, even when already there. This song possibly everso slightly doesn't measure up to the others in the production/mastering stakes.
Clive: Lovely stuff. You're bang on about the sound quality. My fault entirely. It was recorded in a sleeping bag, in a tent, at Glastonbury. I was taken to the festival by my then girlfriend (and real true love) Emily Nichols. We had an argument, she stormed off to see The Grateful Dead and I recorded it in one take after drinking a bottle of Bailey's. That's why it sounds like it was recorded in a bad toilet. The album's one and only single. The brackets in the song title were a bit more sophisticated Willy.
Whistles and Bells (and More Whistles)
Willy: Whistles and Bells (and more whistles)? Nice to end on a Honiton themed song - makes the side 1 tracklist like a Honiton Sandwich. What would be in one of those? Probably crow & dandelion. You know I love this song, we've discussed it. It's VERY - I say it again - VERY evocative. I think the strongest thing about this album is the richness of the world you've conjured up - with the local characters, the hats,. the strange local customs and the sneaking suspicion that you're only *ever* gigging in Honiton.
Clive: Love it. Benji's best, I reckon. Agree with you about the "local" feel and the references to Honiton. Song title guess? Bang on Willy.
