Wake the Union

Wake the Union
Studio album by Show of Hands
Released 15 October 2012
Recorded 2012
Genre Folk
Label Hands on Music
Producer Mark Tucker
Show of Hands chronology

Covers 2
(2010)		 Wake the Union
(2012)		 Centenary: Words and Music of the Great War
(2014)

Wake the Union is the fifteenth studio album by British folk duo Show of Hands, released in 2012. Although their fifteenth, it is their eighth album in their "canon" (albums of new, lyrical material still in print). The release follows their limited edition Covers 2 (2010) and the successful Arrogance Ignorance and Greed (2009). Recorded and produced by Mark Tucker, the album takes their usual influence from both English and American folk music and is a "journey through of their two landscapes united by a common tongue and musical heritage".[1] The album again features their unofficial third member Miranda Sykes.

The album charted at #73 in the UK albums chart,[2] some 100 higher places than their only other album to chart, Arrogance Ignorance and Greed.

Promotion

Songs from this album debuted live in August 2012.

The album has also been called a '20th anniversary celebration' even though the duo released their first album in 1987 and began collaborating even in 1979 for Live in Concept.

The album cover features an acoustic guitar (with cotton strings) with various English and North American symbols, such as roads (the signs for Route 66 and the A303) and flags (United Kingdom, United States). The duo's website states "The new studio album balances the English and North American influences which lie at the heart of Show of Hands music. Born out of the band’s love of the acoustic and roots music of both countries, the CD is a journey through the heart of two landscapes united by a common tongue and musical heritage."[3]

Reception

BBC Music were positive about the album, saying that "it’s unlikely to win over many new fans, but those already under the band’s wingspan are, once again, richly rewarded with another thought-provoking collection." [4] The Daily Telegraph said "The success of Wake The Union is in blending the band's trademark British folk with Americana. Knightley (part of the trio that includes Phil Beer and double bassist Miranda Sykes) describes it as “a journey through the heart of two landscapes united by a common tongue and musical heritage."[5] Financial Times gave a four star review saying "The duo returns with less anger and more music ranging from jazz shuffles to slide guitar baiting."[6]

Track listing

Original artists written next to the song title

  1. "Haunt You" (with Seth Lakeman)
  2. "Company Town"
  3. "Now You Know"
  4. "Katrina"
  5. "Cruel River"
  6. "Aunt Maria"
  7. "Coming Home"
  8. "Reunion Hill"
  9. "No Man's Land"
  10. "Seven Curses"
  11. "Home to a Million Thoughts"
  12. "Who Gets to Feel Good"
  13. "Stop Copying Me"
  14. "King of the World"
  15. "Thanks"

References

  1. ↑ http://www.showofhands.co.uk/commerce/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=223
  2. ↑ http://www.showofhands.co.uk/2012/10/22/wake-the-union-reaches-73-in-the-official-album-chart/
  3. ↑ http://www.showofhands.co.uk/commerce/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=223
  4. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/59gw
  5. ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/cdreviews/9611230/Show-Of-Hands-Wake-The-Union-CD-review.html
  6. ↑ http://www.showofhands.co.uk/2012/10/28/4-review-for-wake-the-union-in-the-ft/