Even if one were unfamiliar with
Brass Monkey, the very name of the group prepares the listener for folk music outside the box. After all, when one thinks of tuba, German beer gardens and polkas come to mind, not British folk music. But the presence of songs like "The Swinton May Song" and instrumentals like "The Queen's Birthday" on
Flame of Fire assures the listener that this is definitely British folk music. Having said this, the music that percussionist Martin Brinsford, trumpeter Howard Evans, accordion player
John Kirkpatrick, trombonist Roger Williams, and multiple instrumentalist
Martin Carthy makes is eclectic and unusual. The album successfully moves between songs and instrumentals, keeping the listener alert with lively arrangements and solid vocals. The leading piece, "The Swinton May Song," is adorned with a jaunty cadence and features a fine vocal by
Carthy.
Kirkpatrick is an equally fine vocalist, offering a good rendition of "The Game of All Fours."
Brass Monkey, however, takes its instrumental work just as seriously. "The Swinton May Song" is followed by an instrumental, "The Installation," a tune with a heady mixture of tambourine, horns, and drums, and custom made for dancing. As with earlier
Brass Monkey albums,
Flame of Fire shows that there are many ways to make enjoyable folk music. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford Jr.