'One
of the most innovative of today's folk groups' Rock 'n Reel
Magazine
'The
formula has been refined to produce a unified and rewarding style'
Folk Roots Magazine
Make Me One With Everything Reviews
'Ostensible a trio now, following the departure of Tim Garland........ their musical mission is unchanged though, for they still produce a characteristically fresh blend of English, Middle Eastern and Eastern European folk styles in inventive acoustic arrangements. Four busy and cryptically-titled instrumental sets, largely based around tunes of Irish origin, punctuate the vocal items, which this time round includes no less than four of Dave's songs. These are generally up to previous standards, if not so overtly political in content, compared to some on Fieldwork's initial releases. Shooting Star was inspired by the biography of the Shawnee warrior-leader Tecumseh, while Trouble in Strawberry Town, rather accurately described as a "sister song" to one from the band's earlier Rains of Spring album, provides an effective counterpoint to the opening track, an arrangement of the traditional July Wakes from Pendre, Lancashire.
There are some well-coordinated guest appearances from four other musicians, who have already played with the band live, fleshing out the Fieldwork sound to a credible degree (notably on the tune-sets). So, if you ever appreciated the eclectic quirkiness of bands like (say) Dando Shaft and mid-period Incredible String Band at their best, and you're receptive to the idea of new takes on material like Lord Firedamp (a version of the Coal Owner and the Pitman's Wife, learnt from local singer Al Atkins) and Don Bilston's Fireman's Song, then you're likely to enjoy Fieldwork. And incidentally, the complimentary artwork (also attributed to Al), makes the total package very attractive.'
David Kidman, Folk Roots, December 2002.
The Rains Of Spring Reviews
'Decent grist from the Nottingham crew with overtones of the later Hedgehog Pie and the Joyce Gang. Overtones are never derivative and since last sampled there's been an amount of judicious maturing from Fieldwork. They've delved far deeper into Britfolk and while there's still bags of wider world inspiration the dominant feel is very much home grown. The blend of percussion, strings and keyboards makes for a decent bed on which to present altered ballads like Strawberry Town, Young Emma and their own William Sycamore, while instrumentally they more than hold the line with some heavy duty Swedish Polkas, nods to Ireland on Blue Fiddle Polkas and Cornish trad with The Mincer. The key to The Rains of Spring, though is its sheer accessibility. This is a folk band that doesn't sound like you'd expect and that's good. Behind the desk duties handled by the band's Dave Walker make for a wide, open atmospheric production which's an example to others. Even the design of the sleeve's easy and informative. The shame is that the band notes before personnel read "Fieldwork were", which suggests that just as they have cracked it with this one the membership's in flux. Still, order this one with confidence.'
Simon Jones, Folk Roots
[ed: "Fieldwork were" by chance, not intention, has in fact heralded a membership change; the band's live performances and new material is being received really well; only the next album will really show the new state of affairs, but from what I've seen and heard and with Dave Walker still behind the desk.....]
'I know what I've said elsewhere about self production but this CD comes from a group of musicians who know what exactly to do and how to do it, They have done it with a bang as this CD is brilliant. High quality musicianship, material, settings and recording run all the way through this production. Dave Walker's vocals are as good as you will get in a roots tinged Folk-Rock group. It starts with a superb version of Strawberry Town followed by two Swedish polkas then into a setting of a wonderful American poem William Sycamore. The highest standards have been set now and they are maintained through a heady mixture of Yiddish, Arabian and Cajun music. I can't speak highly enough of the qualities of this CD. Every aspect of it is "spot on". The first three tracks are evenly matched by the wrap up trio, two Irish polkas, the traditional Young Emma and a Tim Garland gem Port Augusta. I've really hammered this CD and still find it as fresh and accomplished as I did on the first play.'
Stuart Cook, Folk Buzz
'I have not seen this Nottingham based band, but the widely varied content and exciting presentation on this album suggest that I have a treat in store....this is a rewarding performance which demonstrates that good music is just that, wherever in the world it started out.'
Veronica Lowe, Folkwrite