The singers were initially invited to perform the songs a cappella and, during a series of intense late night sessions, the band used these performances as a guide to the choice of instrumentation and the mood of the arrangements. The fruits of these free-ranging sessions were consolidated during recording dates in North Manchester’s Limefield Studio, where the legendary folk producer, Bill Leader, was around to lend a hand and give the band his quiet nod of approval.

The musicians and singers were gathered together under the direction of Peter Philipson and Michael Doward and include some of Manchester’s finest players in John Ellis, Rachael Gladwin, Luke Das-Gupta and Alan Cook. The final recording session brought together a 12 piece vocal chorus to add rousing singaround backing vocals as a concluding flourish.

Amongst their influences, the Woodbine & Ivy Band cite the music of Sandy Denny, John Martyn, The Byrds, Pentangle, Crazy Horse and the drone rock of Spaceman 3. This album is also one for fans of Joe Boyd’s Witchseason Productions and much of the music released on the Harvest, Leader and Transatlantic record labels

In the shops on 21th November. Buy from the Folk Police Store

Spencer the Rover (featuring Fay Hield) is available as a digital download Christmas single from iTunes. It’s nearly 40 years since Steeleye Span took Gaudete into the Christmas charts. We reckon this means it’s about time for another Christmas folk rock hit, so please spread the word!