Here's a genially welcoming and thoroughly unpretentious folk record: one that displays, over the course of its 15 items (mostly songs), a cross-section of Chorley (Lancs.)-based Peter and Barbara's repertoire that would (along with the attendant inter-song banter and intros) make up two typical sets at a folk club booking.

Barbara has exactly the right sort of voice for folksong, with many years of solid experience and love of singing on her personal CV, while Peter also comes from a family steeped in pleasurable music-making; their clear enjoyment of the activity radiates through their performances, both live and on this CD. And importantly, the two performers work and sound well together.

As far as repertoire is concerned, well the jewels of this set are the discoveries, the infrequently heard items: notably Nick Caffrey's fine song The Dandy Factory (which chronicles the story of the riots that took place following the introduction of power looms into East Lancs' cotton mills in the 1820s). Aside from Dougie MacLean's (Ready For) The Storm, the bulk of the remainder of the menu consists of arrangements of traditional songs, for the most part hard to fault in steering a reliable and satisfying middle course between inspired and workmanlike.

Peter's playing is lively and committed throughout, with an appealing spring in its step and thoughtful embellishments of the melodic lines; he also contributes a couple of his own tunes (a hornpipe and a polka) to break up the songs. Barbara's singing voice has a solid tone and a firm and confident range. She takes a definite, assured stance on the material, and she knows exactly where she is taking the songs. Bold Privateer and Slieve Gallon Brae are especially persuasive and well sung with a combination of ebullience and charm.

I particularly liked her way with The Lover's Ghost (Bay Of Biscay), while her acappella rendition of Loving Hannah is taken at a sensible pace, with intelligent phrasing that's almost too sympathetic for the song! Finally there's the obligatory “light relief” quotient, here reflecting Barbara's penchant for music-hall songs on two well-oiled Gracie Fields numbers, performed as to the manner born (though as is the nature of such things, you may not wish to hear them each and every time you play the disc!).

So if you're looking for a good record of a traditional-style folk club night's entertainment, this CD is a reliable memento of time well spent in the Snapes' convivial company - and you really can't go far wrong with that.

David Kidman October 2008  - www.netrhythms.co.uk