Ralph Bennett: The Travellers
By Mike Moroney
Could it be that our Ralph is mellowing with age? This is an easy-going album of mostly acoustic guitar and vocal all original except for some obligatory Broonzy, Fuller and Dylan that sit well in the track list. The album title refers to Ralph Bennett's peripatetic lifestyle with the Gypsy Fair and these tracks are essentially live recordings of his performances from Napier to Dunedin. On the way he picks up some session musos and it's great to hear the delicate fiddle of Anne Bowen and Phil's (Ralph's not great with last names) sax-playing from the southern end of his tour. Some great low-down dirty slide playing too and overall, this is a most enjoyable and honest recording of a working musician and his songs. Available from gypsy fairs.
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