Lindisfarne "BT3" 1969-2000(Rec) 2000(Comp)***

Nowadays Lindisfarne reminds me of the TV Series "Vikings" - you know, it's the name of that place where Ragnar & Co. murdered all the monks except Athelstan who went on to be one of the most annoying characters in recent TV history but somehow commanded the love and admiration of Viking warriors, Saxon kings and their daughters. Everyone's except good old Floki's, it seems, who put the series back on the track by killing him. But the so-called "holy island" of the Middle Ages has at least one more tie to popular culture: it gave its name to a British folk rock band from Newcastle-upon-Tyne which is now approaching its 50th year. They hit their peak quite early (1971) with their 2nd album "Fog on the Tyne" and had been cruising on low altitude ever since, even overcoming the loss of their principal songwriter Alan Hull in 1995. This CD is their 3rd compilation of rarities (the titular "BT" stands for "Buried Treasures") spanning 30+ years, something that would normally appeal only to dedicated fans. I'm not one, and I wouldn't have bought this if not for the fact that a certain record store had a 3-for-€5 offer and I couldn't find a better 3rd album. It turned out to be a good investment, not just because of the quality of music but also because this is a rare out of print item. The first (and earliest) track here comes from 1969 and is credited to an early incarnation of the band under the name Brethren. It's called "Positive Earth" and has an almost medieval Celtic folk sound. The live version of "100 Miles to Liverpool" is more country-oriented with banjo and harmonica. "Money" is electric folk rock a la Dylan circa '66, and "2 Way Street" a rollicking Southern rocker. Yep, this compilation is nothing if not eclectic. "Newport Mount Rag" is one of the reasons this comp is sought after by collectors. It's just a jaunty country instrumental, but it has the distinction of being Mark Knopfler's recording debut (from 1974, pre-Dire Straits) even if he plays banjo instead of his familiar Stratocaster. "Poor Old Ireland" is a typical Celtic ballad with flute and mandolin, but I doubt its vehemently anti-clerical message made it popular in the land of its title. Many lyrics display an old-school leftist sensibility - I'd say old fashioned, but with Jeremy Corbyn proving still popular despite attacks by the media, opponents and his own MP's, who's to say what's fashionable anymore? Perhaps Red is "the new black". The anti-music establishment "Corporation Rock" and duet "The One and Only" have a pleasantly nostalgic rock'n'roll oldies sound, while sprightly folk rocker "Drinking Song" sounds like Tom Petty jamming with Jethro Tull. "Heaven Waits" reminds me of Springsteen, "Log On Your Fire" of Bob Dylan, "We've Got All Night" the Travelling Wilburys."Checkin' on My Baby" is a convincing blues stomp by the reformed pre-Lindisfarne group Downtown Faction. A version of "January Song" included here features actor Tim Healy on vocals and acoustic guitar, "Dragon of Dreamland" is a Hull-penned children's lullaby and "Digging Holes" another blues rocker with Chris While and Julie Matthews on vocal. "Meet Me on the Corner" an impromptu performance of their big hit recorded by accident at a gathering of the Tynemouth Ladies Circle. In general, this is a surprisingly good collection given that it's the 3rd installment of rarities i.e. the scraping of the proverbial barrel. But the disparate nature of song styles, different eras and uneven recording quality don't make for smooth listening. I'd suggest to get something else by the band - except if you're already a fan, in which case it may well be worth spending an extra penny for a copy of this.

**** for Poor Old Ireland, Drinking Song [Demo Version] 

*** for Positive Earth, 100 Miles to Liverpool [Live], Money [Demo Version], 2 Way Street [Live], Newport Mount Rag, Corporation Rock [Live], The One and Only, Heaven Waits [Live], Log on Your Fire,  Dragon of Dreamland, Checkin' on My Baby [Live], January Song [Live], We've Got All Night, Digging Holes [Live], Meet Me on the Corner [Live]