Forest - The Full Circle (Harvest 1970) 24-bit/96kHz Vinyl Rip

Forest were a late 60’s minstrel/medieval type of folk-prog trio in the style of The Incredible String Band and Dr. Strangely Strange. They released a couple of albums with dark but subtle acid lyrics, incorporating pipes, harmonium, harpsichord, mandolin, 12-string guitar and percussion to their sound. Their music doesn’t have the electricity normally associated with rock, yet it can’t be described as straight folk either, the lyrics being rather strange and the band’s approach being far too eclectic.

Full Circle has both brutal and beautiful elements, and the raw acoustic tunes create weird and enchanting music. There are many medieval influences here, but the overall aesthetic is not idealized or fantasy related. It is sincere and realistic, filled with mystery, misery and violence. Peppermint Store Blogspot.

Track listing:

A1. Hawk The Hawker
A2. Bluebell Dance
A3. The Midnight Hanging of a Runaway Serf
A4. To Julie
A5. Gypsy Girl & Rambleaway

B1. Do Not Walk In The Rain
B2. Much Ado About Nothing
B3. Graveyard
B4. Famine Song
B5. Autumn Childhood

Martin Welham:
vocals, 12 & 6 string guitars, harmonium,
piano, whistle, harpsichord, percussion
Derek Allenby:
vocals, mandolin, harmonica, whistle,
percussion
Adrian Welham:
vocals, violin, bass, whistle, guitar, harmonica,
cello, percussion
with Gordon Huntley: Steel Guitar on ‘Hawk The Hawker’

Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, Spring 1970
Produced by Forest & Malcolm Jones