Description

This is the second recorded version of Joe Beard’s gothic concept of the myths and legends of Alderley Edge. This version was recorded in 1988 by Cheshire based folk rock band King’s Ransom and also features Richard Hemingway (news reporter with BBC Radio Manchesetr at the time of the recording) as the wizard with narration by Mike Billington (producer and presenter of the folk programme on BBC Radio Manchester from 1984 to 1989)

Joe Beard was one half of the songwriting partnership of the 1960’s jug band The Purple Gang who rose to prominence when Joe Boyd, one day after recording and producing Arnold Lane by Pink Floyd, recorded the single Granny Takes a Trip and also their one and only LP The Purple Gang Strikes. (Transatlantic Records)

1. Skyline

2. The Meeting

3. The Wizard

4. The Spell is Broken

5. The Eagle Child

6. The Ballad of Ellen Beck

7. The Wizard’s Well

8. Knight of the Road

9. John Evans’ violin

10. Walpurgisnacht

11. Ad Lunam / Anthem