Simon Care and Gareth Turner - Two's Up Two

by Zena Grieg

published: 19 / 12 / 2024

Simon Care and Gareth Turner - Two's Up Two

Label: Talking Elephant
Format: CD X2

Lively jaunt into folk and dance on double album from folk duo Simon Care and the late Gareth Turner

Review

Northampton-raised Simon Care and Gareth Turner were well-known performers on the folk music circuit with their unique sound, inspired by the Morris tradition. Now, twenty-seven years after the release of the duo’s first album ‘Two’s Up’ a new special edition combining their remastered debut album and their new follow-up ‘Two’s Up Two’, containing ten new tunes, has been released, specifically to celebrate the life of Turner, the release dedicated to his wife and family. The album brings to the fore the impressive experience both musicians had, Care with The Albion Band and extensive session work in the folk world and Turner previously a member of Little Johnny England and The Phil Beer Band. ‘Two’s Up Two’, recorded during the last year of Turner’s life, is a vibrant, colourful celebration of the lifelong friendship of these renowned exponents of folk instrumental and squeezebox playing, inside and outside music. A spirited collection, it captures the ambience of their many live performances, in the words of Turner: “Once more, with feeling”. Highlights of the double, instrumental album include: the catchy ‘Ecclefechan Jig/Marlin Jig’; the mellow, meandering ‘Les Mystere des Box Vulgaire’; toe-tapping ‘Jake’s Jig’; the sparkling ‘Snowchains/Burning Bridges’; and the cascading ‘Webley Twizzle/Highland Mary’; as well as the poignant closer ‘Midnight on the Water/Eliza’s Waltz’. A precious memento for all who heard their music at festivals and music events across the land and for those coming later to their music, 'Two's Up Two' is an album to treasure by these masters of the melodeon.

Track Listing:-

1 Streetfayre
2 Ecclefechan / Marlin Jig
3 Beaux Badby / 2nd Morris / Morris Off
4 Les Mystere Des Box Vulgaire
5 Loose Hornpipe / Mosquito Coast
6 Rocky Road To Pitsford
7 The Diggle Stagger
8 LIB / Hayeswood
9 Belltower / Much Wenlock
10 Boeuf Francais Gumbo
11 Jakes Jig