There is a small scratch mid-way through Side A for 3-4 revolutions otherwise, this looks and sounds fabulous for its age.

The cover is a little scruffy but only because it is predominantly white so it shows up its marks a little. A small price ticket has been removed from the top right hand corner. The record is also housed in the original green cover CBS inner sleeve.

VINYL: VG+

LABEL: Ex

COVER: VG+

Side 1

1. The song that I sing
2. Hello little flower
3. Sing while you can
4. The minstrel song
5. Magdalene’s song
6. Travellers song

Side 2

1. From the land of the crab
2. Lady willow
3. Great wall of Cathay
4. If wishes were horses
5. Have you ever really seen the stars
6. I’m so confused

The first thing to notice about this is the unusual cover. It’s not often you get the lyrics covering the front and back of the sleeve. And it’s not the only surprise. The first track, Hello Little Flower is a fabulous opener, taking you all over the place. It has a simple driving rhythm laying underneath a collection of quiet but effective guitar work which you want to run on for longer than it does. You can sense the band almost having to reign in their enthusiasm and cut away to a smoother bluesier, sax overlaid middle section. There is an awful lot packed into this and you are only on the first track. It then transcends into minstrel territory. To me it sounds more in line with a track that would close the LP. There is more than a little theatre production in this fantastic opener. It gives the listener heaps to listen to. Mind blowing or what….

Whilst you are recovering from all of that, he gives you such a simple acoustic and flute based song entitled ‘Sing while you can’…’A bird am, a bee am, a flower am, a tree am…..’ and on. Just beautiful. Both these tracks are stunning in very different ways and I challenge anyone to find better…anywhere. They are both exceptional and whilst, for me, they are highlights of this LP, there is plenty to appreciate across both sides. In many ways, it is simple music but so enriching and gravitational that you will want to come back for more, time and again.