Parchment (UK)

Light Up The Fire PYE 1972
Liverpool trio (with John Pac and Sue McClennan being the mainstays) who've contributed four essential lps of British progressive folkrock in the tradition of Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, and Pentangle. The group's debut is an absolute classic. Originally released on the British mainstream Pye label (and later re-issued on Grapevine) Light Up The Fire established their trademark sound by combining instruments of traditional British Isles folk music (acoustic guitar, mandolin, dulcimer, finger cymbals, violin, recorder) with more modern rock elements. 'Love Is Come Again' and 'Son of God' venture into the acid folk genre showcasing Pac's sitar, while 'Zip Bam Boo' and 'Better Than Yesterday' are more uptempo footstompers, the latter utilizing the dobro. KS

Hollywood Sunset PYE 1973
Hollywood Sunset continues the sound with more string instrumentation and a slightly more commercial feel. Best cuts are the more stripped down numbers like 'Dobbie's Song (with mandolin and recorder). The dobro returns for the romping 'Get On The Road'. Equally aggressive is the powerful classic 'Death In Jerusalem'. Also released on the Pye label, it comes in a nice colorful glossy gatefold cover. KS

Shamblejam Myrrh 1976
Shamblejam, the group's only lp to be co- released in the States, is a decidedly more electric album, containing some of their best material, like their roguish version of 'Denomination Blues', the lazy blues of 'The Speaker's Corner', and the psychy 'Light Of The World', complete with reverse editing effects. KS

Rehearsal For a Reunion Grapevine 1978
Rehearsal For A Reunion dawdles a bit with horns, Tijuana-style on 'Angel Voices', while 'Glory Shone Around' and 'Jesus On The Mainline' employ Dixieland brass. This works fine, especially the Dixieland move, but the songs can sound a bit out of place. Also some of the ballads have sacrificed the folk edge for easy listening. Though it's a lesser work than the others there are several fine moments, such as the a cappella rendition of the traditional 'Golden Game'. Closes out with a nice re-working of 'Light Up The Fire', which is where the first album began. KS