Jez Hellard and the Djukella Orchestra's 'The Fruitful Fells' is a great piece of work. Carefully chosen top-class songs. Joyous playing. Clearly a labour of love.
Jez is a Manchester-raised Australian, who has spent time in New Orleans and doesn’t that swinging influence show in a great way? From there, he moved to rural Wales where this recording was made. He sings, plays guitar, and harmonica. His travels have lead him to play in many different and diverse locations around the world. The Djukella Band describes their music as traditional and contemporary folk, jigs, reels, and rebel ballads. Oh, and they also cover tango, rhumba, reggae, and all points in between.
The songs on the album are carefully picked from the very best of contemporary and traditional with a couple of originals added in for good measure.
First up is ‘Gonna Rise Again’ from Si Khan via Roy Bailey and a nod to Tony Benn. You are quickly aware of the territory being covered. Jez sings with lovely accompaniment on guitar, double bass, and violin.
Next come more wonderful examples of the genre; ‘Spring Wind’ by Greg Brown, ‘Big Steamers’ by Rudyard Kipling, and ‘The Joy of Living’ by Ewan MacColl. Top drawer stuff with ‘Black Mirror’s Got You’ by Jez thrown into the middle of these and by no means out of place.
There is a lovely version of ‘Now Westlin Winds’, rightly credited to the influence of Dick Gaughan. Worth the price of the album for this alone. A Richard Thompson song, two by Robin Williamson, and a finish with ‘The Quiet Joys Of Brotherhood’ by Richard Farina.
Such material deserves great understanding and delivery and Jez and the band are more than up to the task. Nothing too elaborate – just great musicianship on a range of instruments including violin, harmonica, double bass, clarinet, and accordion to mention but a few.
The material gets the recording quality it deserves. Sleeve notes, packaging, and photography are the icing on the cake.
You really should give ‘The Fruitful Fells’ a listen. Powerful stuff.