Five years in the making has led to this masterpiece of an album Heritage from acclaimed singer/songwriters John and son Duncan Reed. As John says “Heritage is a tribute to family and ancestry, but rather than write about specific people, the focus has been on recreating family favourite traditional folk songs. These are songs the family of four played either at home or on holiday drives, so Heritage is personal”.
Eleven fabulous tracks given the Reed treatment and it certainly is a beautifully crafted album. Tended with loving care and it deserves to be heard. Heritage was produced by highly acclaimed music producer Ali Karim.
Kicking off the album with ‘Van Diemans Land’, where convicts were sent to plough and work on this new colony now named Tasmania. Wanting to find out more, I learnt that Tasmania has an incredibly sad past of ethnic cleansing nearly to the point of extermination and convict uprising. Lowlands of Holland – lovely cittern intro – telling the tale of newlyweds being torn apart by a Captain demanding the groom join the fight on the Lowlands of Holland where sugarcane and tea were an important part of the county at that time. The bride vowed to stay true and mourn as though her husband was lost. Such a sad tale. Full band sound of instruments including cittern, cajon, electric guitars and more rising to a crescendo at the end of the track.
‘The Keeping of the Bridge Part 1’ is from a WW1 parody by Cardinal John Henry Newman (The Dream of Gerontius) and is now my ear worm with an audience participation chorus if you want to join in! Originally included on Duncan’s 2021 album The Road Part 1 inspired by the first three verses of the poem. John took the next four verses for ‘The Keeping of The Bridge Part 2’ for Heritage. The poem has eight more verses so we can expect an update in the future! Violin maestro Matt Steady accompanies on violin and viola. Beautiful harmonies from John and Duncan. A poignant track.
‘The Dalesman’s Littany’ is a tale of country folk having to move to towns to seek work to survive, travelling to where they must for employment. A bit like the Cousin Jacks of Cornwall. Taken from a poem by J W Moorman and has been sung by the likes of Jon Boden and Maddie Prior in the past. Lovely arrangement from John and Duncan. ‘Smile in Your Sleep’ – a duet from the boys – reminds me of a lullaby waltz but is far from it!
‘Both Sides The Tweed’ – is a beautiful arrangement. ‘Let friendship and honour unite, And flourish on both sides the Tweed’.
‘The Blacksmith’ – a 19th century traditional song is introduced with fingerpicking guitar leading into this beautiful almost delicate song. Originally sung well by Steeleye Span – this is such a lovely version. A tale of a deceitful blacksmith who went overseas and wed leaving a heartbroken lady devastated. So sad! ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’ is a Scottish/Irish folk tune painting a vivid picture of the mountains, nature and beauty of the landscape in these two countries.
‘Raglan Road’ is led by John’s wonderful cittern and sung by him telling the tale of loving too much and then realising its not appreciated.
‘She Moved Through The Fair’ concludes this wonderful album, although last it is by no means least. Vocals by both John and Duncan on alternate verses with intuitive singer Jo Beth Young adding backing vocals and who also added electric guitar onto this track. A ghostly tale indeed, again a folk song with no happy ending, but sung beautifully!
I just loved Heritage on first listen and played it many times since. On this album folk songs given a new lease of life. An exceptional album to treasure.
To be released on Saturday 12th September 2026 at 6pm on Bandcamp first and then will be released on other platforms on 25th of September onwards.
Credits given to John Reed: Vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, lap steel guitar, cittern, ngoni & keyboards.
Duncan Reed: Vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, tenor, harmonica, bodhran & cajon.
Matt Steady: Violin and viola on ‘Keeping Of The Bridge Part 1’.
Jo Beth Young: Vocals and guitar on ‘She Moved Through The Fair’.
Jean Camp
Artist’s website: www.johnreedmusic.com
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