Red Diesel

It's been a long five years since the trio of singer Lucy Wright, fiddler Tom Kitching and one-man-band Edwin Beasant released their debut, Wayside Courtesies. In the interval a new member has assumed a pivotal role. Jon Loomes is an eccentric multi-instrumentalist who plays everything from hurdy-gurdy to Hammond organ. He is also the producer here and he allows the Pilgrims’ sound room to breathe.

Loomes is even responsible for the (rather dubious) cover artwork: don’t be put off by the MOR rock look of Red Diesel. When you actually hear the music, Lucy Wright's voice is immediately captivating, particularly so on Les Barker's ‘Maybe Then I’ll be a Rose’, Kitching's fiddle playing stands out, and the whole band create a driving drama on ‘Ride in the Creel’ and their take on the Incredible String Band's ‘Chinese White’ (renamed ‘Magic Christmas Tree’). They even have an audacious cover of Paul Simon's ‘The Boy in the Bubble’. You might think this all sounds too convoluted but, barring a couple of pedestrian mid-album numbers, it's a great ride.