AlanHull had been a regular presence round the North East’s folk clubs for a while by the time he hooked up with the band which would eventually become Lindisfarne. At the time, the vogue for heavy rock had meant Hull’s literate acoustic songs had difficulty finding an audience anywhere else, but the additional instrumental oomph meant securing bookings on the college circuit became easier.
Nicely Out of Tune was the first fruit of this relationship. Best remembered for the shimmering Lady Eleanor, which also gave the band their first hit single, the album marked Hull out as one of the most promising songwriters of his era, leading to the obligatory ‘new Bob Dylan’ comparisons. As well as Hull’s more reflective material, the album contains more noisy fare such as RayJackson’s Road to Kingdom Come and Jackhammer Blues.
Throughout, the music makes full use of mandolin, fiddle and harmonica alongside the occasional electric guitar crunch and delicate acoustic picking. On such tracks as Winter Song, the band display a lightness of touch redolent of prime period Fairport Convention, while on others the good time vibe recalls the Grateful Dead at their most bucolic.
Elsewhere, Hull’s folk club background came to the fore on We Can Swing Together, a light hearted account of Newcastle drugs bust guaranteed to win over the counter cultural audience. Hull’s introspective streak was enhanced by his background as a mental nurse, which would later influence songs such as United States of Mind on his fine debut solo album, Pipe Dream.
The follow up album, Fog on the Tyne, would prove to be a greater commercial success, particularly in the states, but their ramshackle charm is fully in evidence on this classic debut.
Track Listings
1. Lady Eleanor
2. Road to Kingdom Come
3. Winter Song
4. Turn a Deaf Ear
5. Clear White Light, Pt. 2
6. We Can Swing Together
7. Alan in the River With Flowers
8. Down
9. Things I Should Have Said
10. Jackhammer Blues
11. Scarecrow Song
12. Knackers Yard Blues [Bonus Track]
13. Nothing But the Marvellous Is Beautiful [Bonus Track]
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