Listening to Hunt Emerson...

STATELEY HOMES of England featuring Hunt Emerson brought out their first CD, Josephine, some months back but being a tale of seasonal change it raises a smile to the face on these cold nights.

Josephine, as penned by John Otway, is the tale of the corn maiden, the maypole queen, the goddess come-lover who gives life to England green. As recited and played by Emerson and his cohorts we see England has become much-coloured, multi-shaped (if a little too obese) and rich for the diversity of it as the song is arranged in a variety of manners from a more-or-less straight interpretation to reggae lover's rock styles and beyond.

It's a song cycle worth listening to, and the assorted versions fine to groove or chill out to.

That the CD itself comes in a gatefold cover with sumptuous artwork by Emerson, one of nation's best loved cartoonists, paying homage to nature while filling backgrounds with minute detail of delightful visual humour is an added bonus. I was fortunate enough to purchase my copy at this summer's 2011 B.C. convention in Birmingham, where I was also able to receive a limited edition accompanying full colour portfolio that's quite frankly spiffingly great!

Below is a promotionalYouvideo for Josephine by Stately Homes of England featuring Hunt Emerson:

And while, we're at it, about half-way through this Anglia TV news footage, you'll see a report on Hunt Emerson teaching a bunch of happy kids at primary school kids:

For more on Stately Homes of England CDs visit: www.spritelyrecords.com

For more on Hunt Emerson visit: www.largecow.com