Whilst I had certainly known of the Holloway Echoes, quite remarkably, I had never heard the band before this album made its way to me, it is the band’s fifth album! I think that I had been put off by Alan Wilson’s declaration that it was not Rockabilly. Although he is correct to point out that this is not pure rockabilly there is a definite rockabilly flavour to many of the numbers here owing to the splendidly clean licks that Alan dispenses. I gather that the impetus behind the project was the very sad death of Chas Hodges which affected Alan deeply. It is cleat to the most casual listener that this has got Chas and Dave written all over it. From the English vocal stylings of Pat Winn to the English subject matter that ranges from the Carry On films to Grange Hill’s Gripper Stebson, this is straight from the Hodges and Peacock songbook, as such, it’s a bit of a joy.

1. ‘All Asses Must Be Shown’ – Begins with banjo, then the vocals begin and it’s pure Chas & Dave and contrary to what Alan said there is a strong rockabilly dimension to this with some exquisite lead playing. The subject of the song centres around Carry On Camping, with references to Mr Fiddler, Dr Soaper and Bab’s bra, as such it’s right up my alley -ooh matron!
2. ‘Brylcream’ – Brushes on a snare drum, played by the impeccable Ben Turner, start this song, and there is some nice lead work. The song also features some splendidly British vocals and lyrics, and terms such as ‘barnet’. It is an ode to the wonder, hair, gunk – rub it on your duck’s arse Brylcream!
3. ‘The Law Must Takes Its Course’ – has a western feel to it with nice changes of tempo. There is a hint of the Kinks to this one.
4. ‘Charlie’s World’ – strummed acoustic guitar on top of which Pat Wynn’s vocals are introduced before the band eventually joins the fray. It has a 1960s breezy pop feel to it, there is a nice Hammond organ solo and some very nice bass playing. 
5. ‘This Is A Melody Of Bells And Guitars’ has a Dire Straits feel to it from the strumming pattern to the very smooth lead work which is equal parts Mark Knopfler and Mank Marvin. 
6. ‘50s Fred The Monoped Ted’, ‘saw him at the bar drinking Newkie Brown, It’s a wonder that he don’t fall down’. A nice upbeat, catchy number. The ‘marvellous monoped’ was actually a term that I used to describe Spacewaster Mick Lammond whose left leg stops below the knee and who also has a pair of long sideburns.
7. ‘Gripper’ features nice piano and hammond organ. This is a slow number about a school bully who delights in inflicting pain. In addition to a penchant for ‘nipple cripples’ and ‘Chinese burns’, he also seems to enjoy receiving punishment. Now that he has let himself he looks more like ‘Roland’ a clear reference to Grange Hill that is confirmed by the riff played at the song’s conclusion.
8. ‘Watch My Records Play’ – A song about the delights of spending a day in bed listening to music. The song features some nice trumpet work.
9. ‘The Third Earl Of Harrow’ – is a much more up-tempo groovy number that features a lovely bit of Hammond organ. The chorus is ‘pass that bottle around’.
10. ‘Take Me Back’ – a nostalgic glance at the past with a Kinks’ feel to it.
11. ‘Cox’s Creepers’ – a song about the Northampton shoes, it is a teddy-boy stomper with two very nice guitar solos.
12. ‘Last Orders’ – with piano to the fore this song is Chas & Dave all over, one could imagine Messrs Hodges and Peacock delighting in this witty song.
13. ‘Be Right Yet Left’ – features acoustic guitars with an acoustic guitar soloing on top, it is undoubtedly the outlier of this album. The song is written and performed by bassist Nick McNulty. It is certainly good but I’m not sure that it quite chimes in with the others, but I suppose that is half the point. Alan Wilson developed the Holloway Echoes as a studio project for which he could write and perform songs unencumbered by the restrictions of any genre and in that goal he has certainly succeeded.

If you like Chas & Dave, mixed with the Kinks with elements of rockabilly then this may very well be your cup of tea. I enjoyed it very much indeed and would recommend it very warmly indeed.

Nick Kemp

Buy a copy of ‘Carry On Echoing’ from Western Star Records here