Dingly Dell - LINDISFARNE*****

All Fall Down/Plankton's Lament/Bring Down The Government/Poor Old Ireland/Don't Ask Me/O No Not Again/ Dingle Regatta/Wake Up Little Sister/Go Back/Court In The Act/Mandolin King/Dingly Dell

Dingly Dell was dismissed by some critics as below par when compared with the first two Lindisfarne albums. There is no justification for this claim as it is fully the equal of their earlier releases. (UK:5)

“As an album I think it hangs together better than Lindisfarne's previous efforts. Unfairly criticized upon release, this album has the most lively, spirited feel of these three great albums. The only drag is the last track, Dingly Dell, which is essentially a six-minute drone chant. Not my bag, but the rest is pretty great, All Fall Down and Court In The Act being the highlights.”

“A criminally under-rated album of great songs, recorded fast (as all the best records are) and as a result they sound more like a band, if less eclectic, than on their first two albums.”

“This album has a real charming crazed sing-a-long in your living room feel. Alan Hull's voice may take a while getting used to but its all good fun and that's the bottom line here. It's hard to pick a highlight out of this collection, confirmation why Lindisfarne were such a big a hit band in the early 70s.”

“The music within thrilled my young ears, mandolins strummed, harmonicas wailed, guitars jangled etc. This music still resonates with some of Alan Hull's greatest songs.”

“The band's playing is spirited enough, they sound like Pentangle with higher wattage, and there are lots of enjoyable songs. Court In The Act is a classic piece of folk-rock, with a rousing chorus, a wonderful melody and memorably funny lyrics. There are many other good songs that have memorable tunes.”

“The one-two-three punch of the opening medley might well be the most thrilling moment in the band’s catalogue signalling everything Lindisfarne were about: shouting from the rooftops on behalf of the common man whose voice was being denied and whose feelings were being trampled on.”