Just in case anyone's interested, I'm posting here some highlights of the reviews that are coming in of my recent CD, 'Songs of Trial and Triumph'. Here goes:
"I have a new ballad hero - Brian Peters: a man who sings these vivid tales as though he read them in this morning's headlines. A man who loves the ballads and sings with passion.The album is a corker…. terrific choice of songs and spot-on vocals, varied and immaculately played backings, the thought that has gone into finding fresh versions…. the best Lord Randal I've ever heard, the best Georgie, the best Lucy Wan, plus the astounding Sir Aldingar. Not long ago I watched Brian Peters entrance an audience with a programme that included several of these ballads. His emotional but not OTT performance brought home every nuance of the stories he sang, whether Grand Guignol or cheeky humour. The audience 'got it' because he 'gave it' to them via his passionate and totally engaged delivery, qualities he has transferred successfully on to this brilliant CD."
Roy Harris, The Living Tradition
"An all-around terrific CD that also happens to be one of the best ballad albums out there. Brian Peters has long been one of the very best performers in the field of English traditional song and music….. he has made each ballad new and striking…. unusual ballads such as Sir Aldingar and False Foudrage shimmer with magic and murder…. a folk-rock arrangement of Three Ravens worthy of Steeleye Span. He sings and plays with consummate skill, breathing life into them. Peters' Child ballads embody trial and triumph, but also tragedy, action, excitement, and humor, to say nothing of sex, drugs, and even rock 'n' roll. You couldn't ask for more."
Steve Winick, Dirty Linen (USA)
"A singer with a long and distinguished track record…. a very good set, thoroughly worthy of your time and attention."
Nic Beale, fROOTS
"A well-balanced and enjoyable CD, with some memorable performances which support Brian's reputation as a fine ballad singer…. Brian has taken a great deal of trouble, and visited a number of sources, to compile versions of the ballads that make sense and 'sing well'…. nicely judged guitar accompaniments, and a gloriously over-the-top electric extravaganza on 'Three Ravens'."
Martin Graebe, English Dance & Song
"A fabulous hour-long collection of Child Ballads…. and yes, I do mean fabulous…. Brian is a consummate musician (squeezebox, guitar, you name it!) and excellent singer, but also a thorough and committed researcher with a keen eye for detail and an uncommon amount of good sense and taste…. one of the most genuinely entertaining folk albums I've heard in a long time."
David Kidman, Netrhythms