Old Boot Wine - SPIROGYRA***

Dangerous Dave/Van Allen's Belt/Runaway/Grandad/Wings Of Thunder/World's Eyes/Don't Let It Get You/Disraeli's Problem/A Canterbury Tale

Old Boot Wine was the follow up album from the Canterbury folk group Spirogyra. Vocalist Barbara Gaskin is given more prominence and there is a greater rock sound featuring electric instrumentation.

“Despite the surreal cover art, Old Boot Wine feels a bit less adventurous and progressive than the other two albums of Spirogyra's original run. Those who enjoy folk-rock with progressive sensibilities will still find the material here to be of interest, Barbara Gaskin still charms on the microphone, and the instrumental sparring is a treat, but the proceedings feel rather sedate and tame.”

“Adventurous folk/prog, with a mix of soft and somewhat hard material featuring electric and fuzz guitar, yet still including the trademark male/female vocal harmony and acoustic guitar.”

“This is deeply bucolic and rather simplistic folk-rock with lots of pop thrown in, saved by good songwriting and the clever vocal lines.” “The more rocking songs are good, but some of the melodies aren't exactly the strongest ever written. However, the mix of gentler songs helps creates a well rounded album.”

“Old Boot Wine saw them move into a more rock orientated and straightforward direction with more emphasis on electric instrumentation, the odd Germanic groove, and on opener Dangerous Dave a heightened awareness of vocal hooks. The intense vocal contributions of Martin Cockerham were also pared back, with Barbara Gaskin given more of the spotlight, which certainly makes the album an easier listen.”

“Not to be confused with smooth jazz near namesakes Spyro Gyra, this outfit were one of the more interesting progressive folk groups to emerge in the early seventies. Spirogyra's lack of commercial success almost certainly had more to do with expectations than it did with the quality of their material. In the early seventies, the Canterbury sound was already synonymous with quirky jazz, a stereotype that Martin Cockerham’s politically charged, anglicized take on Dylan-esque folk failed to emulate.”