Interesting albums from the folk and roots music history, by Marius Roeting.
In the late sixties and early seventies, they were a musical couple: Bob and Carole Pegg. The Peggs were also caught by the folkrock virus that, at the end of the sixties and the beginning of the seventies, was prevalent in first Great Britain and later all over Western Europe. Where most of them played the old songs with amplified instruments, the Peggs did not. He was a multi-instrumentalist, so they used flutes, accordion, guitar, harmonium, piano and percussion, she played the violin and both sang. These were supplemented by (guest) musicians who played dulcimer, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, drums and percussion. Strictly acoustic except for the electric bass guitar. They had already released a duo album -He came from the mountains- before they formed the formation Mr.Fox/Mr Fox was named after a figure from an old Anglo-Saxon legend that is even mentioned by Shakespeare. During that time, the Peggs spent time in the Yorkshire Dales and were inspired by the old folk tales and customs. They incorporated this into their music. Their self-titled debut (but also referred to as Join us in our game, after the opening track) was a surprise, an oddity in the folk rock era. It was this different approach that brought them success. The rural music gave the feeling of going back to the source, but with a contemporary approach. Their successor The Gipsy was also well received, especially by the free-spirited progressive youth. Mr Fox became one of the founding fathers of free folk with their uncomplicated approach. With the break-up of Bob and Carole, Mr Fox was also defunct. Carole, later Carolane Pegg, made another solo album, but disappeared into anonymity. Bob, on the other hand, teamed up with multi-instrumentalist Nick Strutt and made a few more brilliant albums, often with a concept idea. The music of Mr. Fox remains remarkable, but also worth listening to.
Mr. Fox
Mr. Fox – Mr. Fox (Join us in our game) – Transatlantic records TRA 226
1. Join us in our game 2:53
2. The hanged man 4:16
3. The gay goshawk 3:15
4. Rip van Winkle 4:26
5. Mr Trills song 2:52
6. Little woman 2:34
7. Salisbury plain 5:20
8. The ballad of Neddy Dick 2:48
9. Leaving the dales 3:34
10. Mr Fox 5:41
Mr. Fox – The Gipsy – Transatlantic records TRA 236
11. Mendle 7:11
12. The Gipsy 12.55
Track 1: music Bob Pegg, Words Carole Pegg
Track 2, 4, 8 , 9, 10, 12: Bob Pegg
Track 3, 11: Carole Pegg
Track 5, 7: Music Bob Pegg, words Ashley Hutchings
Track 6: Dave Mason
Produced by: