All five albums are still available on CD, at £8.50 each including postage and packing.
"Will"Their first CD, Will, was named by Time Out as one of the top "Roots" albums of 1995. Several of the songs have been covered by other artistes, including "The Wishfulness Waltz," which became the title track of an album by the veteran folk-rock band, Fairport Convention. The songs have a wide range of styles, from jazz cabaret, through slow blues, to classic English balladry.
Their work has received ecstatic reviews in the music press. The late songwriter JAKE THACKRAY said: "These songs are lovely, true, complex and addictive things. I wish I could write, think and play like Franks, and sing like Patty Vetta. This is the real boogie, I promise." SIR TIM RICE said,“I've got the CD in my car - the ultimate accolade for anything in my collection. Clearly Division One.” RALPH McTELL said,“Proper songs, properly performed.” 1. The G.I.'s Lament 2. Sing To The Red, White And Blue 3. The Goose And The Beak 4. Fairfax And Fordingly 5. Hannah, Hannah 6. Nearer To You 7. A Lover Of A Friend 8. Brendan McCready 9. Government Hill 10. Baby Blue Eyes 11. Goodbye To England 12. I Only Loves Will 13. Raining Millionaires On Wall Street 14. The Mozzarella Song 15. The Fox In The Field 16. Wishfulness Waltz 17. The Frozen South Atlantic 18. The Sea And The Saltmarsh 19. Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind |
Credits: Patty Vetta (vocals), Alan Franks (lyrics and music), Andy Brown (banjo and guitar), Dave Olney (double bass), Bob Loveday (fiddle), Charlotte Moore (vocals), Al Stewart (saxophone), Steve Reynolds (double bass and accordion), Wes McGhee (lead guitar), Arnie Somogyi (double bass),Tony Harris (guitar). Production: Patty Vetta and Michael Franks.
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"Ladders Of Daylight"'Ladders Of Daylight' will certainly delight established admirers, and should attract a small army of newcomers to the rare delicacy of Patty’s world-class voice exploring a fresh treasure trove of songs by Alan. A number of notable guests appear on 'Ladders Of Daylight', but before we introduce them, please inspect the album's remarkable front cover illustration by the extraordinary JOHN HOLDER, whose work has for many years graced the posters and programmes of the Cambridge Folk Festival. When he saw and heard this uniquely enjoyable act, John volunteered to originate one of his creations for this second album, for which we thank him (and would like a pint of what he's drinking).
PATTY & ALAN have played in front of a variety of audiences since 'Will' emerged in 1995: several folk clubs (mainly in and around London), such festivals as Aldeburgh, Haddenham, Saffron Walden and Salisbury, and a number of support slots for RALPH McTELL, who has been gracious in his praise and generosity. Because the third founder member of the VETTA/FRANKS team, the exotic Charlotte Moore, was unavailable for many of the RALPH shows, singer/guitarist REG MEUROSS volunteered to be Charlotte, and while undeniably short in the exotic stakes, not only replicated her vocal harmonies but also added instrumental weight to the expert bass work of TONY HARRIS, who has so lovingly engineered both 'Will' and 'Ladders Of Daylight'. REG bonded so well with PATTY & ALAN that he was invited to appear on 'Ladders', and even sings lead on 'The End Of The Line', a song which some may equate in terms of its subject matter with ‘Meet On The Ledge’, the famous epic that is regarded as FAIRPORT CONVENTION's signature tune. Which brings us to another guest, CHRIS LESLIE, the newest member of the FAIRPORT family, who chose to record 'Wishfulness Waltz', one of the great ALAN FRANKS songs on 'Will', as one of his lead vocal contributions to the excellent 1997 FAIRPORT album, 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes'. Everyone was ecstatic when CHRIS agreed to apply his inspired violin playing to five of the songs on 'Ladders Of Daylight', and in particular the breathtaking title track. Among the other guests who contributed to the album are JULIAN DAWSON, who happened to come along with REG, and added trademark harmonica to 'Getting Restless', and PATTY's longtime chum, PETE SAYERS, who appears on autoharp and dobro. What makes 'Ladders Of Daylight' an even more unlikely feat is that it has been created while ALAN has continued his "day job" as a feature writer for 'The Times', and while PATTY has become a successful goat breeder, as well as working as a noted session vocalist both live and in the studio.' "The Arms Of The Enemy"
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1. Jackie Lee
2. Look Up Look Down 3. We're Going To Be Revealed 4. Give Me The Samba 5. I'd Rather Be Blind 6. Open Secret 7. My Influential Friend 8. Getting Restless 9. Martin's Heron/Kate's 'Air 10. Islands Of Oil 11. I Try To Fall In Love 12. Take Good Care Of Your Memories 13. I Once Loved A Girl 14. Please Don't Enquire About Me 15. The End Of The Line 16. Ladders Of Daylight Credits: Patty Vetta (vocals), Alan Franks (lyrics and music), Steve Reynolds (double bass and accordions), Chris Leslie (fiddle), Pete Sayers (autoharp), Tony Harris (guitar and bass), Charlotte Moore (vocals), David Fitzgerald (alto sax and Irish whistle), Reg Meuross (vocals), Julian Dawson (harmonica), Pete Sayers (Dobro), Dave Olney (bowed bass). Production: Patty Vetta.
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THE ARMS OF THE ENEMY is the third CD from Patty Vetta and Alan Franks.
I am surprised that this couple are not more widely known, for this album has everything ! Superb lyrics carried on tunes which hold one's interest without being over-fussy or convoluted. There's quite a mixture of styles, too, from C & W, jazzy, bluesy, ragtime numbers, through mock musical hall, to the beautiful but short unaccompanied song, 'Late September'. Patty's clear, warm voice leads on most tracks, and is equally adaptable to blues or ballad. Alan, who composed all the material, except the only instrumental, 'End of the Day' (the hymn also familiar to folkies as 'The Lakes of Colephin') leads on some memorable tracks - the tongue-in-cheek 'This Love Affair of Ours' is reminiscent of some early Miles Wootton compositions, whilst 'Things Get Lonely Now' is a moving, poignant song about the reflections of an ageing ex-pat facing the end of his life. Other reflections of what has been and what might have been and personal relationships feature prominently in the subject matter, though there is much wry humour, inspired imagery and a touch of double entendre. I could easily go into detailed appreciation of many of the songs, but I'll mention just one more, 'Four Beaks in a Bar', a delightful 2 verse ditty inspired, I suppose, by sparrows sitting on telephone wires like musical notes on a stave. Patty and Alan are supported on the CD by a whole range of musicians and instruments - guitars, accordion, bass, fiddles, saxophone & drums and more. Obviously in a folk club setting, there would only be Alan's guitar, but the quality of the material and the artists would still prevail. My 'acid tests' for a CD of contemporary material, are whether I would go to see them perform live and whether I would be tempted to perform any of their material myself. I can answer both affirmatively! Colin Andrews - What's Afoot Magazine |
1 Beautiful Music
2 Away Rolls the Time 3 This Love Affair Of Ours 4 Please Don't laugh At Me 5 Walking On High Ground 6 The Arms Of The Enemy 7 End Of The Day 8 You Gotta Have Arms 9 I Wouldn't Do it To A dog 10 Thief In The Stair 11 The Roedean Song 12 Four Beaks In A Bar 13 The Time That Still Remains 14 Late September 15 Things Get Lonely here |
Credits:
Patty Vetta (vocals), Alan Franks (writer and composer), Tony Harris (bass and banjo), Steve Reynolds (double bass, accordion and keyboards), Ned Williams (harmonica), Wes McGhee (slide guitar and Dobro), Rebecca Laker (penny whistle), Graham Preskett (fiddle), Simon Mayor (fiddle and mandolin), Al Stewart (sax and clarinet), Steve Dixon (drums). Production: Patty Vetta.
Patty Vetta (vocals), Alan Franks (writer and composer), Tony Harris (bass and banjo), Steve Reynolds (double bass, accordion and keyboards), Ned Williams (harmonica), Wes McGhee (slide guitar and Dobro), Rebecca Laker (penny whistle), Graham Preskett (fiddle), Simon Mayor (fiddle and mandolin), Al Stewart (sax and clarinet), Steve Dixon (drums). Production: Patty Vetta.
"Bird In Flames"
I am truly amazed that, in this, their fourth album, Alan continues to maintain such a consistently high standard of songwriting, with well-crafted lyrics and attractive tunes. Many 'folk' singer-songsmiths struggle to produce even a few pieces that aren't instantly forgettable. It surprises me, too, that this duo are still relatively unknown on the national scene. Their songs and presentation tread the border between folk music, country & western, and even jazz. Alan plays a folky style guitar, but on various tracks there is an impressive line-up of backing instruments including bass & lead guitar, sax, clarinet, accordion, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, & keyboards, with Reg Meuross, Al Stewart, & Steve Reynolds amongst the accompanying musicians. Patty has a fantastic voice, equally at home with the bluesy jazzy style of Springtime, the gentle love songs like When I Return to You, and the poignant encounter of a released prisoner with a former pal told in As I Walked Out. Patty told me this album is rather different from previous ones, and in some respects this is true. There is certainly more variety in the instrumental accompaniment and Alan takes the lead on more of the songs. But what is undoubtedly in keeping with their earlier CDs is the sheer quality of the songs, with, in my opinion, not a duff one amongst them There's always something a little unexpected, whether in the topic, the lyrics, or the arrangement. The title song, Bird in Flames tells the sad tale of Daniel Leroche, a French resistance fighter, The Ship of Our Affair uses choral harmony and accordion, and I'll leave Worm Tango to your imagination! The music of Patty Vetta & Alan Franks might not be everyone's cup of tea, but if it can strike a chord with an old traditional folk singing friend who lives not so far from me, then there's hope for people of any musical interest ! Colin Andrews |
1 Don't Know What To Do
2 Guilty Of Loving You 3 Heart Do The Talking 4 As I Walked Out 5 Just So Long As It Is Only Me 6 Bird In Flames 7 Springtime 8 Sentimental Songs 9 Worm Tango 10 When I Return To You 11 How Can I Be A Has-Been 12 The Ship Of Our affair Credits:
Patty Vetta (vocals), Alan Franks (writer and composer), Tony Harris (bass and banjo), Steve Reynolds (double bass, accordion and keyboards), Ned Williams (harmonica), Wes McGhee (slide guitar and Dobro), Rebecca Laker (penny whistle), Graham Preskett (fiddle), Simon Mayor (fiddle and mandolin), Al Stewart (sax and clarinet), Steve Dixon (drums). Production: Patty Vetta. |
"Only Natural"
"Wonderful songs. Vetta sings her heart out. I'd defy anyone to better this all-round display of perfection" - Rock n' Reel
"Alan Franks is a modern-day Sydney Carter. In their own very individual way, his songs are as classic as Lord Of the Dance" - John Rety, co-founder, Torriano Poetry 1 Peace For Which We Pray
2 At The End Of Our Times 3 Heaven In The Top Flat 4 Those Feelings Never went Away 5 Twenty-One Again 6 When the World Is Full Of water 7 The Home Front 8 The Twin I Never Had 9 Romance's Refugee 10 I'll Never Close My Eyes Again 11 It's Only Natural 12 Ball And Chain 13 Here Comes The Train 14 No More Of That |
Credits:
Patty Vetta (vocals), Alan Franks (guitar, vocals), Tony Harris (electric bass, rhythm guitars, banjo, lap steel, percussion) Graham Preskett (violin, accordion, mandolin), Steve Reynolds (piano, double bass, accordion) Mel Thorpe (flute, saxophone). Produced by Patty Vetta and Tony Harris. |