ColvinQuarmby CQV is reviewed by the folkmaster…

The new ColvinQuarmby album has now descended from CQ towers, and is heralding in, by a fab twelve page booklet containing of all Gerry Colvin  lyrics which are wrapped, in bright shiny, cherub packaging (beam me up Scotty).

In our opinion, we believe that CQV can sit proudly alongside the body of work that ColvinQuarmby have produced to date. This recording is enhanced by Allen Maslen and Marion Fleetwood involvement, both of which have made a noticeable contribution to the new line-up, joining the Nick Quarmby, Gerry Colvin and Martin Fitzgibbon fold (baa…)

CQV is their first album in 8 years and although the word play is as razor-sharp as ever, they have still have a little way to go to recreate, the CQ live experience on record but in truth, perhaps they never will as, seeing CQ in the flesh, with all the banter, is seeing the true measure of the band.

As you would expect from CQ, the tracks on CQV are a right old of mix of material, focusing on the political, social and relationship story songs that are Colvin’s trade mark. My personal favourites were: Broken man, The Gods Don’t Work, Dirt, South London Gang and the live favourite, Dylan Thomas’ Pen.

So in short, Gerry Colvin  has, once again written some brilliant new songs, which the band recorded at Blue Moon Studios in Banbury Oxfordshire where just about anybody who used to be, and in some cases still is, somebody, in the world of folk music have recorded. These include Fairport Convention, Kieran Halpin, Maddy Prior, Ade Edmonson and The Bad Shepards, Julie Felix to name a few. We understand that, CQV has taken a total of 220 studio hours and over two years from the start of recording to complete. Darren Beech

Here’s what Blue Moons owner/engineer Mark Lee had to say about his involvement with CQV

“Cq are without doubt one of my favourite bands to record. With such great songs and arrangements, fantastic singing and great playing it was always a real pleasure for me to press the record “GO” button. I truly wish the band every deserved success with what I consider to be a great album. An absolutely brilliant band. A world-class act in my opinion”


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