Oysterband Greatest Hits Part Deux

Well in the last write we saw the Oysterband's first five 'hits' and why they're considered as such. This go-round we're going to look at the next five candidates, numbers 11-15. We're counting down to te top songs that the most influential british folk-rock outfit has ever compiled (nixing any covers from other artists). Here we go, #15:

The Deserter

After writing a review on this album, the title track therefore must be important. It's been used live and has an ethereal chorus that denies the somber verse. Its message is equally as potent, with the lyrics "between your heartbeats, you'll have a heartbeat, you'll hear what the deserter says." It reminds us that honour isn't always the way of the sword.

#14:

Another Quiet Night In England (1994)

This is the popular remake of their 1988 tune that did not include Chopper (they redid it to modernize the sound, tighten the harmonies, and include the new band members). The song is a classic for the Oysters, and being as such it deserved a prestigious place amongst their top 20. At number 14, "England" is featured on both "Trawler" and "Granite Years" compilation CDs.

#13:

Bury Me Standing

It's an interesting take for the band when they included the twang of steel guitars and the rockabilly drums of a slow waltz. It's almost mainstream country if it weren't for the indelible lyrics and the melodic sound of a british accent. When I sent this song to my sister (who abhors anything NOT mainstream) she was shocked to hear that a band who had previously produced mostly celtic-tinged rock could come up with something like this. The voices are tight once again, the insturmentation experimental, and the result fantastic.

#12:

Rise Above

The title track to their 2001 album, the Oysters pull out all the stops here. Whether it's the pseudo 1960 folk-rock sound of the verses or the super-tight vocals of the chorus, or evern the acoustic round at the end of the song, this number has always been a personal favourite of mine mostly because of its musical significance for the band. They've not produced anything else like it (meaning you can't find a comparison among their discography for this song). It barely misses the top 10, but it's still one of the favourites among the bulk of fans and it's showing that they can still surprise us after 30 years.

#11:

By Northern Light

Just missing the top 10 is 1995's "By Northern Light" which is arguably the only somber non-political tune on the album. Either way, it's been reprised by their 2008 release "Drifter" and by the Barra MacNeils (Cape Breton). All three versions are entirely different and each one enchanting in their own right. The song is bittersweet, solemn, melancholy, and driving all in the same package. How I see it, timelessness never leaves any of their work, but this one just sort of sticks as being virtually eternal in nature (and universal in appeal).

That's it for this round. I'll be posting the next 5 in a the very near future. While you're at it, if you've never listened to the Oysters, I can hook you up with sources to get their albums or download some singles (eMusic.com is a great start, CDbaby another good one).

--TK