Reviewed by Catherine Francis

Made up of members of the now defunct Hats Of Cana, and solo artist Daniel Shaw who supported Martin Joseph last year in Cheltenham, the Simple Folk Quartet recorded this live album at a series of concerts in April 1996. A blend of traditional tunes and original compositions penned by the band, the album is very reminiscent of the Hats, and once again includes a fascinating variety of instruments from bodhran and bouzouki to tabla and didgeridoo. The recording certainly captures the live, organic atmosphere of the shows, with plenty of audience input, giving the feel of an intimate pub gig. At times, the set acquires charming medieval and Indian slants; at others the familiar jigs and reels take over. It's slightly spoiled by the frequent tension in the tuning, particularly with the violin and vocals and the recording leaves something to be desired. But for hard-core folk fans and followers of the Hats, it's worth checking out.

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