One Night String Band Vol One

The story of how One Night String Band came together is worth recounting. Because of gig conflicts, two old-time duos – Old Spot (Rowan Piggot on fiddle, Joe Banks on banjo, guitar and double bass) and Jeri Foreman & Ruth Eliza (fiddle and banjo, respectively) – who love each other’s work never get to hear each other play. Solution: schedule a week-long joint tour of North England and, during rehearsals, hang out until the wee hours swigging whisky and playing music together – and don’t forget to turn on the tape recorder. The result is an old-time string band lover’s delight. Standout tracks from the short (26+ minutes) but sweet session include ‘I’ll Reap What I’ve Sown’, a foot-stomping barn dance banger featuring brilliant instrumental harmonising, and ‘Pterodactyl’, which the band describes as ‘a crooked tune written on banjo by Ruth, about running so fast that you’re flying like a pterodactyl.’ Suffice it to say, it’s a reel (and an album) worth hearing.