Search - Lindisfarne :: Amigos

Lindisfarne's third comeback

K. A. Levine | Stow, MA, USA | 01/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Lindisfarne, a folk rock group based in the north of England, was one of the most popular bands in the country for a brief period in the early 70s, but a combination of weakened songwriting and unfair critical bashing resulted in a rapid fall from favor. In 1978, they made a comeback of sorts to some fanfare, then quickly returned to obscurity. "Amigos", released in 1989, marks an artistic high water mark for the band, not achieved since their very first album and, while it didn't produce the hits of early years, it returned Lindisfarne to public notice and pleased many of the faithful. This was achieved through a confident folk rock sound with country, world and progressive elements mixed in, and a general feeling that a good time was had by all. The harmonies are happily and slightly askew, the songwriting is shared and top notch, and the band plays together with aplomb. Most of the tracks are excellent, in particular the opener "One World", and its instrumental reprise in the closing track by countryperson piper Kathryn Tickell, "Everything Changes" with the late great Alan Hull's giddy playing and singing, the Afro-sounding "Roll on that Day" which rocks, rolls, twists, and frolicks like the classic it should have been, the sweet ballads "You're the One" and "Don't Say Goodnight". The innocent genius of Lindisfarne is summed up in "When the night Comes Down" with the immortal refrain which runs more or less "Some people go to the mountains, some people go to the sea, but one thing you know you can count on, you can always go downtown with me". A great introduction to one of England's longest lasting musical treasures, and one that won't disappoint long time fans either."