Lammas Fair is the second album by the English Progressive/Psych folk singer-guitarist Henry Parker. First released in 2021 it was the follow-up to the 2019 Silent Spring. Hailing from West Yorkshire, Henry was heavily influenced by the Progressive and Hard Rock bands coming out of England in the late sixties before hearing the guitar playing of Bert Jansch and other English folk artists of the period which had a profound effect on him and his playing style.

Lammas Fair is a beautiful record, it combines themes of landscape and nature with stories and characters which embrace the changing seasons and our connection to them. Lammas Fair, Blackthorn and Nine Herbs Charm immediately suggest a welcome Pagan influence. But don’t be fooled, this is not a dyed in the wool folk album, it goes beyond that and wider musical elements weave themselves together to create a very appealing, modern take on folk music.

Listening to The Brisk Lad with its big, psychedelic guitar sound I am reminded of Meddle era Pink Floyd but then it manages to flow seamlessly into the beautiful Coming of the Spring.

Henry’s impressive guitar playing is evident throughout, the harmonics which introduce Death and the Lady set the tone for Jansch-like finger picking. Each track has a unique feel to it, I find it impossible to pin it down to any one style and I like that. The new wave of artists ploughing the English folk scene is very welcome but Henry Parker is ensuring he is not one amongst many. He has a new album out with David Ian Roberts and his future is looking very bright indeed.

For more information about Henry Parker: https://beacons.ai/henryparkerbfd

See also: Chasing Light