the magic forest

I’ve been looking forward to this release. Regular readers may remember the first 3 CD box set in this series issued back in 2022 ‘Deep In The Woods’. An excellent collection of trad folk/experimental acid folk/jazz/rock/funk & more besides, which may sound a rather confusing mix of genres, but trust me it all makes wonderful, blissful sense when it enters your ears. I love that first collection so much that its become my ‘go to’ listen when I want to relax & drift off to other worlds & immerse myself in all things esoteric, where there’s an aural surprise lurking around every corner. This new release is a companion piece to that first collection & like its predecessor the first thing you notice is the exquisite artwork spread out over the digipack which is a feast for the eyes as it draws you into ‘The Magic Forest’ I could just stare at that artwork all day, let alone being carried away by the music. This time round the set contains more of the rare, obscure & long forgotten gems as before, sprinkled with the more well known names, well, they’re well known if you’re into this whole scene as I am. The compilation has once  again been put together by Richard Norris, a man clearly in love with what he does & he has done another fine job annotating the tracks. And speaking of tracks there are 61 spread across the 3 CD’s to delight in. The whole collection gets off to a fine start with the track that gives the compilation its title ‘The Magic Forest’ by Fat Mattress a band whose name will be familar to a wider audience, who enjoyed a fair degree of success, & included along with Noel Redding, an old friend of mine Neil Landon, who prior to forming FM was a member of The Flower Pot Men. I’ve chosen this track to feature as the accompanying video to this review to give you a sample of what to expect. This is followed by the gentle strains of the eastern flavoured ‘Dreams’ by The Woods bands & already a sense of peace & relaxation is taking hold of the listener. One of the most collectible bands of the 60’s, the wondrous Mellow Candle are up next with ‘Sheep Season’ featuring their haunting blend of voices & experimental sounds that infused their solitary album ‘Swaddling Songs’ for which you’d need a second mortgage to buy if you were after an original vinyl copy. Track 4 comes from a very underrated artist in my view Shelagh McDonald with the haunting folk ballad ‘Stargazer’ More standout tracks on CD1 come from Prelude, Keith West (of ‘Grocer Jack’ fame), Agincourt, another highly collectable act, Forest, Affinity & one of my favourite singer/songwriters Clifford T Ward with ‘A Dream’, a sheer delight. CD2 kicks off with a legend of folk, Sandy Denny with ‘Next Time Around’ followed by, new to me, a gorgeous number from Fairfield Parlour with ‘Aries’ with some very ordinary themes in its lyrics that become far more interesting when combined with the band’s music. The unmistakable voice of Roger Chapman heralds the arrival of his band Family with ‘My Friend the Sun’ one of the more well known artistes to grace the compilation. More highlights on CD2 come from Heron, Fresh Maggots, Tim Hollier, Oberon & another old friend i worked with, the enigma that was Tim Rose with Tim’s take on ‘If I Were A Carpenter’. RIP old friend. Compared to the first collection ‘Deep in the Woods’ aforementioned. this second 3CD outing features more singer/songwriters. CD3 opens with a band I’ve always had a fondness for, the excellent Jade Warrior with the gentle, dreamy ‘Morning Hym’ followed by a band completely unknown to me The Ghost with a track called ‘Hearts & Flowers’ which reminds me of something else I can’t quite pin down annoyingly, but I’m very taken with their lead singer, one Shirley Kent. I’d like to hear more from this band. Track 3 serves up a great number from Pete Dello & his band Honeybus, best known of course for ‘I Can’t Let Maggie Go’ but there was so much more to them than that commercial hit single. Elsewhere other highlights on the final disc come from Fotheringay, Pentangle, Roy Harper, Marsha Hunt & Snafu amongst others. In conclusion compiler Richard Norris has curated a glorious collection of the esoteric, seldom heard & unfamiliar which if you have a mind that seeks out the different,  may just turn into your very own familiar, I do hope so. Enjoy.

Alan Esdaile… I agree Colin, great sleeve and thanks for the reminder of the Fat Mattress track. I remember a local group used to play this track in their set but can’t remember who it was?