CC SMUGGLERS Write What You Know (Absolute)

CC SMUGGLERS Write What You Know (Absolute)It’s been two years since CC Smugglers’ debut album since when they’ve been building a reputation as a class live act partly through their penchant for busking outside other bands’ gigs until they got invited inside. The culmination was an appearance at Celtic Connections alongside The Old Crow Medicine Show which was a joy to behold.

The six songs on this EP are all written by Richie Prynne and the band and are all in the style of old string bands. They almost fooled me with the opening of ‘How Long’ which initially sounds like a ballad but takes off in the band’s customary high-energy style. The fooling continues with ‘Pouring Rain’ which also begins as a ballad and, despite straining at the leash a few times, just about continues that way. ‘Don’t Go’ is actually the really gentle track – a plea to the singer’s brother not to go to war.

The core of the band remains Richie, Ryan Thomas and Dan Edwards together with Sam Barret and Dave Marks who joined just after the release of New Roots Music. Dave seems to have abandoned the trombone which was a danger to life and limb in small venues but his piano and trumpet are an integral part of the Smugglers’ sound along with Ryan’s banjo. The newest recruit is Flow Toulman on drums.

The band have tightened up somewhat in the intervening months and the production on Write What You Know has knocked the corners off them a bit. I have to admit that I prefer their looser persona although I suspect that live they’re as exciting as ever.

Dai Jeffries

Artists’ website: http://www.ccsmugglers.co.uk/

‘How Long’ – official video:


We all give our spare time to run folking.com. Our aim has always been to keep folking a free service for our visitors, artists, PR agencies and tour promoters. If you wish help out and donate something (running costs currently funded by Paul Miles), please click the PayPal link below to send us a small one off payment or a monthly contribution.