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The Ridge Riders - Chequer Mead Arts Centre, East Grinstead 2001.02.04

Track listing:
Volume 1
  1. Intro 1:57
  2. Shapes On The Landscape 2:35
  3. Ashley Talk 0:47
  4. The Drovers’ Song 2:37
  5. Ashley Talk 0:43
  6. A Row Of Pines 3:05
  7. Chris Talk 2:20
  8. I Am A Humble Bridge - Close Your Heart 7:03
  9. Phil Talk 4:09
  10. Robbers' Roost - The Smugglers' Way 4:44
  11. Intro 0:46
  12. The Travellers 2:49
  13. Ashley Talk 1:11
  14. The Saxons' Song 5:02
  15. Intro To Work Of The Devil 2:09
  16. Work Of The Devil 2:43
  17. Phil Talk 3:19
  18. All-Seeing Stour 3:08
  19. Ashley Talk 0:47
  20. Forever England 2:59
  21. Chris Talk 2:12
  22. The Turnpike Reel 2:24

Notes

Soundboard

Ridgeriders are Ashley Hutchings, Phil Beer and Chris While, who need no introduction. All are blessed with songwriting skills which were harnessed by Meridian TV for a long-running series, Ridgeriders, which blends ancient history and classic motorbikes against a backdrop of rural southern England. Their music is a highlight of the programmes - That was the preview from the Ram Club site, a folk club to be found in Claygate, in Surrey England.

Using the highways of ancient man, the presenter travelled the South of England in the company of some bike-mad celebrity. These included Midge Ure, Neil Morrisey, Paula Hamilton, Jamie Theakston and Chris Serle.

But what of the music? As you would expect from any project Ashley is involved in, it's of high quality. All the tracks are specific in their references and must have linked closely to the programme content, for which they were specially written. Some found their way into Albion repertoire including the brilliant "Along the Pilgrim's Way" sung beautifully by Chris While. This track has a more complete feel to it than some of the others due the shortness of some of the material - most being less than three minutes - but this was because of programme restraints.