TWO’S UP TWO
Simon Care and Gareth Turner
Having thoroughly enjoyed Two’s Up Two, here’s a quick explainer for those who may not know. Simon and Gareth are both maestros of the melodeon, otherwise self-described as ‘squeezers’. Both come from the Northamptonshire town of Moulton and picked up their boxes as a consequence of Morris Dancing. Remaining friends over the intervening decades, they have embedded themselves at the very heart of British – and more accurately English - folk-rock, Simon with The Albion Band, Edward II and more latterly, Banter, while Gareth has enjoyed a long stint with Little Johnny England, along with collaborations with luminaries, the likes of Phil Beer, as well as guest appearances wherever such opportunities should arise!
Two’s Up Two is a 2CD set, the package combining the Two’s Up album that the duo released in 1997 (remastered) plus Two’s Up Two, the much delayed yet highly anticipated follow up, recording starting just as Gareth became ill, yet he was able to maintain a high level of performance, completing the album before his untimely passing. It is fitting that the release is dedicated to his memory, with proceeds being donated to the Cynthia Spencer Hospice.
It would be fairly pointless to review each of the albums separately, there is very much feel of cohesion between the two discs – both albums feature sparing contributions from other musicians and despite their being the likes of Phil Beer’s occasional fiddle and brass from Banter’s own Tim Walker, the emphasis always remains on the dynamic interplay of the two main men. The first album is heavier on their own compositions, Gareth offering 5 and Simon 3 with one co-write and a number of Trad Arrs. The newer Two includes more arrangements of traditional tunes, fewer individual contributions and a number of co-writes with fellow travellers, along with what passes as a set of cover versions, ‘Brilliant Pebbles/Mampy Moose/Barroom Brawl’ being credited to Wesson/Hart/Kay, at least two of the trio being alumni of Simon from his days in Edward II.
As a listener more in touch with what he likes rather than the provenance or indeed the intricacies of the playing, so, suffice to say that the tune selection, musicianship, interest level and enjoyment remain high throughout – and for those of a more technical or knowledgeable bent, the track listing and credits are added at the end. Suffice to say that a 360 mile round trip was well spent on repeated listening to the all that the album has to offer!
There is a playfulness throughout the album that extends to the titles as well ‘Les Mysteres Des Box Vulgaires’ anyone, or indeed ‘Boeuf Francais Gumbo’ if you would like tunes to get your teeth into! The former is also the least ‘English’ sounding of all the tracks, with hints to both elements of the title, with a feel that is nicely Klezmerish, with a hint of Breton for good measure.
So, if you have a copy of the 1997 original, should you buy the twin set in order to have the new recording? The correct answer is ‘Yes’, as should be the response if you don’t already own the full package but have at least a passing appreciation of bellow powered magnificence.
Lovely!!
TWO’S UP TWO