Reviews

“Just a quick note to thank you and your mighty band for another great evening’s entertainment on Saturday.”
Kevin Wilding organiser of a JRB concert at St Mary Bourne Village Hall Hampshire. (Sept 2007)

“Here’s a beautiful version of a great song.”
Mike Harding on playing Michael Black’s version of John’s The Deserter on his show (Sept 2007)

“Mary Black’s brother releases solo debut.
Nicola Joyce delivered a stunning rendition of Suzanne Vega’s antiwar song The Queen and the Soldier on Grada’s latest CD Cloudy Day Navigation and here Michael Black rivals Joyce in his moving interpretation of John Richards’s antiwar song The Deserter.”
The Irish Echo, New York City reviewing the new Michael Black CD (July 2007)

“The Deserter and The Boys are on Parade would have fit right in at the old Newport Folk Festival.”
Irish Philadelphia
Reviewing Michael Black’s new CD (July 2007) which includes John’s The Deserter

“Just had to drop you a line to say how much we enjoyed your gig at Cragrats on Saturday. It was brilliant – there wasn’t one piece which we didn’t enjoy.
Your music was inspirational.”
Lisa Hargreaves
On seeing the JRB for the first time at Cragrats, Holmfirth Folk Festival.

“Fresh, dynamic, inspiring and vibrant are the adjectives I apply to the John Richards Band.
The second half started with Hallsands the title track of the new album which was beautifully sung by Emma.
All in all a spellbinding event!”
Pete Brown, The Woodman Folk Club, Nov 2006.

“Do yourself a favour and beg, borrow or steal the album. The band is in top form.”
Garry Copeland, Express & Star, re Walls of Hope

“He offers a collection of powerful, timely, and melodic original and adapted songs sung with conviction and feeling.”
Dirty Linen Magazine, Baltimore USA, reviewing Walls of Hope

“I was delighted to get this CD of songs from a writer who has had his work covered by the many of the great and good of the folk world including one of my favourite Fairport Acoustic songs The Deserter.
It’s difficult to pick out highlights from a consistently fine CD my favourites being I won’t let you down, a gentle song with beautiful words, Hallsands … and If you can walk you can dance which has been stuck in my head for days.
In all, lovely songs, great words and sharp instrumentals make this collection a delight.”
Chris Patti, Tykes Folk Magazine, re Walls of Hope

“Nic liked your version of it very much and liked Emma’s voice. The track that really knocked him out was I won’t let you down he thinks it’s a great song.”
Julia Jones, re the JRB version of Ploughman Lads (learned from the singing of her husband Nic Jones) and Walls of Hope in general.

“Both John and Emma are supremely strong and characterful singers, their timbre and diction absolutely ideal for bringing the songs fully alive. All but one of the songs are from John’s own pen and trust me there are some real crackers here.
The finest of these songs have all the epic sweep of John Tams work.
Emma’s heartfelt treatment of the traditional Ploughman Lads (learnt from the singing of Nic Jones) is highly memorable and fits in well with its surroundings.
John’s compositions are songs that refuse to be ignored, indeed.”
David Kidman of Net Rhythms reviewing Walls of Hope .

“It should be a condition of sale that anyone purchasing Walls of Hope by the JRB should play it at least 3 times for the deceptively straightforward melodies based around good square major and minor chord progressions to work their magic.
This is a great companion for a long journey and repeated listening reveals that there is more to the album than the material itself.”
Dave Love, The Old White Rose Folk Club, reviewing Walls of Hope .

“We’ve received the CD. It’s brilliant, some lovely songs and tunes and some great arrangements. Can’t wait to hear you at Common Folk.”
Margaret and Steve, organisers of Common Folk, Pelsall, re Walls of Hope.

“Richards has form as a literate songwriter who can adopt quite a variety of idioms.”
Froots Magazine re Walls of Hope

“John’s song Walls of Hope (Hallsands) will no doubt get the sort of attention it deserves and add to his considerable reputation as a song writer of real stature.”
Garry Copeland reviewing the CD Walls of Hope 2nd June 2006

“Richards is a master of his craft”
Taplas

“The CD is fabulous, everything on it is so well crafted with excellent arrangements, I love it”
Bram Taylor on Walls of Hope June 2006

“The Gig was Superb
The new album is superb”
Paul Matthews reviewing a gig at the Newhampton Acoustic Club 3rd June 2006

“These are seasoned musicians with a tight and impeccable sound, I recommend anyone to see them.
John is a wonderful songwriter and I can recommend the album to anyone”
Dave Johns, reviewing a gig at Scrag End Folk Club 21st May 2006

“Listen to this album if you get the chance, it’s a gem”
Garry Copeland reviewing the four track CD If you can walk you can Dance

“John’s song writing and powerful performances are second to none.
Emma’s solo vocals and harmonies are justly described as ‘umbilical’
A great line up for festivals and folk clubs alike….”
Bob Bignell
Bromsgrove Folk Club

“If I was a philosophy lecturer I wouldn’t give the students any textbooks I’d give them a John Richards’s CD and tell them to start learning”
Matt Swindlehurst
Baggeridge Festival Director (Sept 04)

“Finally the concert at the Coach and Horses finished with the acclaimed John Richards and his new band. I was expecting a lot from them and I wasn’t disappointed. A great act to finish what turned out to be a great festival.”
Bryn Phillips reviewing Wheaton Aston Festival

“One of our finest writers and singers, just listen to ‘Shine On’ a perfect song.
I have been a fan for a long time. Get this CD”
Bill Caddick on Behind the Lines

“One of the finest songwriters of the day. The best of the modern genre of contemplative song writing by one of the best.”
Folk on Tap, reviewing Behind the Lines John’s solo CD

“John’s an indisputably significant songwriter. The conviction of the words is matched by the soaring lyrical passion of the melodies, the stature and shape of the lines putting me in mind of John Tams. Behind the Lines is really superb if long overdue and a must for your collection.”
Dave Kidman – Net Rhythms

“The Deserter is certainly one of my favourites – thanks again”
Simon Nicol

“John Richards’ epic sea song Honour and Praise is magnificent.”
Colin Irwin, Folk Roots reviewing Gladys’ Leap by Fairport Convention

“John Richards is without doubt in the highest echelon of British songwriters and is recognised as such by fellow musicians who have recorded his material. The fact that he has not gained greater recognition outside the folk world is an absolute crime”
Trevor Durden reviewing a gig at the Woodman Folk Club, Kingswinford Nov 04