Back To the Yellow Hills
In 'Back to the Yellow Hills' Richard explores traditional music of the Northwest of England singing songs by the Blackburn poets of the 19th century and the 'Lancashire Burns' Edwin Waugh. This is combined with a nod to the Irish tradition of balladry and tunes alongside strong self penned compositions. The Album was recorded at The Grand Studio in Clitheroe and features guest musicians Becky Taylor and Julian Taylor.
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1 Pendle Sally 5.36
Lyics by Robert West Whalley First Published in The Blackburn Times May 10th, 1890
Tune Trad Arr. Moss
2 Friends are few when foak are poor 4.40
Lyrics written By William Billington in 1861
Melody and arrangement Moss
3 Back to the Yellow Hills 6.01
Moss
4 green grows the laurel 6.09
Trad. Arr. Moss
5 The Black Cook/Blackies Polka 6.38
Trad Arr. Moss
6 Hard time come again no more 5.46
Stephen Foster 1854 Arr. Moss
7 Mi Nebbur 5.18
Lyrics Robert West Whalley
Tune Trad. Barrack Street Arr. Moss
8 Four Loom Weaver 2.49
Trad.
9 The Garland 4.39
Lyrics Edwin Waugh Melody Moss
10 The Press Gang 2.26
Trad
11 The Silent Walkabout 4.26
Lyrics: Ron Baxter
Tune trad
12 Leaving Mount Vernon 3.48
Mos
Recorded at the Grand Studio Clitheroe 2015
Produced by Richard Moss
Co Produced, Mixed and Mastered by Tom Peters
Vocals, guitars, alto mandolin, mandolin: Richard Moss
Whistle and concertina on Pendle Sally: Becky Taylor
Octave Fiddle on The Garland: Julian Taylor
Artwork and Layout
Derren Lee Poole
"There are at least two reasons to listen to the debut solo album 'Back to the Yellow Hills' from Richard Moss ... outstanding guitar work and a richly accented, warm singing voice ... there's far more of course but these strike you first and remain to the last. There’s a visceral honesty and an abundance of feeling flowing through this album, its exploration of tradition from the Northwest of England, its journey through 19th century Blackburn poetry, and its presentation of highly accomplished arrangements and self-penned songs.
Without doubt, the man can knows his way around his chosen instruments. There’s a level of skill here that doesn’t just happen ... it needs dedication and finely honed proficiency, it also demands considerable talent ... which Moss clearly has in bucket-loads. Percussive and rhythmic dexterity combines with sparkling fingerstyle delivery to create a result that will hold you, from the sprightly opener ‘Pendle Sally’ coupled to ‘The Pendle Reel’, through the sombre tale of ‘Friends Are Few When Folk Are Poor’ to the riveting original instrumental ‘Back To The Yellow Hills’. Plying his trade across various genres and multiple bands, this is Moss showing that folk music has much to gain from his presence, through stunning arrangements of tradition with ‘The Black / Blackie’s Polka’, ‘Four Loom Weaver’ and ‘The Garland’. "
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