A nostalgic trip down Memory Lane to a different age.
‘Parlour Ballads’ is a simple, classic Jon Boden album that his adoring fans will undoubtedly take to heart. It is a collection of songs that are predominantly piano and violin based. The piano in question does sound as if it has come from someone’s front parlour from another time and is slightly out of tune which adds to the authenticity of the songs and what he is aiming for. The genre originated in the Victorian era and was very much a sign of a family’s prosperity as children sight read the music as it was composed and circulated via sheet music and generally sung for other family members. It progressed to public houses but always had an air of respectability. The collection includes such diverse topics as a hanging in ‘Danny Deever’. Unrequited love in ‘Old Brown’s Daughter’, blossoming love and marriage in ‘London Waterman’, and of course a traditional, gruesome murder ballad in ‘Prentice Boy.’ The very nature of the project means that there is very little change of pace overall which may put off the less dedicated listener.
Throughout, Boden’s very distinctive voice treats each subject matter with the reverence and majesty that they deserve. Resurrected and reconstructed for today’s audience. In many ways, it is a sentimental collection and it is somewhat of a journey for him personally. His Great Great Grandfather ran a music shop and would for a fee perform the latest Parlour Ballads recording himself onto wax cylinder. The songs have remained the same but the production and delivery have changed.
It is doubtful if this album would be regarded by many as Americana. It is however a collection that has obviously been lovingly constructed and put together and will find a large folk music following and appreciation.
