Rehearsal for a Re-union

Description

Rehearsal for a Re-union is the fourth and final studio album by the British folk-rock group Parchment, released in the UK on Grapevine Records in 1977. The album was recorded by Colin Owen and John Pantry at The Old Smithy Recording Studio in Worcestershire and at Grosvenor Studios in Birmingham, England, respectively; with Pantry producing. Mixed by Andy Kidd at ICC Studios in Eastbourne, England. String and brass arranged by Dave Anfield.

Featuring Parchment on vocals, acoustic guitars (Sue McClellan and Pete Yates-Round), and mandolin (John Pac). The trio is backed by a session band featuring John Pantry on Korg synthesizer; Mo Witham on lead and acoustic guitar, as well as banjo; Nick Ryan on bass; and Mike Wade on drums and percussion.

Most songs written by the band members, except “I Want To Go Home“, a song written by Stewart & Kyle, as well as trad. tunes like “Jesus On The Mainline” (featuring dixieland arrangement) and “Golden Game” (an a capella track). The last gig by Parchment was at the Greenbelt Festival.

Rehearsal For A Reunion doesn’t seem to have quite the edge of their prior LPs, but there are still plenty of worthwhile songs, such as their a cappella rendition of traditional «Golden Game». «Glory Shone Around» and «Jesus On The Mainline» both effectively work Dixieland brass into their folksy foot-stomping mandolin melodies. «People And Places» and «Angel Voices» also make use of horns, the latter with sort of a Herb Alpert Tijuana vibe. Brisk classical strings help to bring «Still Waters» to life, but the orchestration on a couple of the ballads tends to take away some of the group’s folk edge. Closes out with a nice reworking of «Light Up The Fire», which is where the first album began. Pete Yates-Round is the group’s new third member, appearing on vocals and acoustic guitar. Gatefold cover. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Glory Shone Around” – 3:34
A2. “Still Waters” – 2:54
A3. “Vision” – 4:06
A4. “Borders Of Belief” – 4:00
A5. “Jesus On The Mainline” – 4:30

Side Two
B1. “Golden Game” – 1:36
B2. “Angel Voices” – 4:24
B3. “I Want To Go Home” – 4:39
B4. “Talking To You” – 3:11
B5. “People And Places” – 4:42
B6. “Light Up The Fire” – 2:47

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Grapevine with the LP housed in a gatefold sleeve with lyrics printed on the inside of the cover.

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