A few years ago I was fortunate enough to be sent a copy of ‘Fragile (Music)’ to review, and for me it was one of the most beautiful and wondrous albums I have ever had the privilege to write about. So when I received this album I was quite excited, but soon realized that here was something very different indeed. This album is a concept, about Roger’s neighbour who as well as being a farm labourer and a character was also a musician and songwriter. Roger felt that after Ted’s passing last year, a fitting tribute would be to compile an album of songs and commentary to portray the story of a man who was “just a bloke”. The word ‘compile’ is important here as although this is Roger’s album, he doesn’t perform on it at all but acts instead as custodian, editor and guide. Musically it is gentle folk, but the feeling throughout is that those involved had a very deep affection for Ted and wanted to do the best for him.
“There’s Something Wrong With Ted” is a conversation that one can imagine taking place in the local pub (The Queen’s Head) as one of his friends says how worried he is about Ted as he hasn’t been in his shed, his garden isn’t right, and that he isn’t sounding like himself at all. “Marrers” is a poignant and delicate song, fragile piano yet with a sad and almost desolate vocal. There is even a song about Ted’s bike, and how much he misses it.
‘Ted Sheldrake’ is an album to be played in the evening, just calmly and carefully, paying close attention to the words. By the end of it I felt that I had gained a small glimpse of the man behind the concept, and wish that I had had the opportunity to meet him and buy him a beer. Many people like to think that they know what a tribute album is all about, but I have never heard anything that contains so much depth, passion, and sense of loss. For more details visit the label at http://www.backwaterrecords.com/ or http://www.rogereno.com/
