Head South By Weaving and Alison O’Donnell "The Execution of Frederick Baker"

Country: UK
Sub Genre: Prog Folk
Label: Ritual Echo
Release date:  November 11, 2012 (vinyl, CD expected in 2013)
Tracklist: 

1. Fail In Flight
2. The Execution of Frederick Baker
3. Act of Contrition
4. Fleeing Limbus
5. Bird in a Cage
6. The Stonemason’s Daughter
7. Prying Eyes
8. Hedge End Day

Line-up: 
Alison O’Donnell – Vocals
Graeme Lockett (HSBW) – Guitars and Programming
     With:
Tony Swettenham – Flute Organ, Mellotron
Jonathan Banks – Drums
Bryan O’Connell – Drums

Description/Reviews: 

While Head South by Weaving (Graeme Lockett) isn't really a household name in folk and folk rock circles, the same cannot be said for Alison O'Donnell, who is well known for her involvement in Mellow Candle. Together they released a new album of folk rock music, entitled The Execution of Frederick Baker.
The first song gives us a slightly art rock beginning to the proceeding, but the next composition (the title one) already announces the folk rock / progressive rock direction of the album. Graeme constantly switches from acoustic to electric, from a folky to a rockier sound. He also puts a lot of emphasis on a layered sound of the guitars, with occasionally several acoustic and electric parts heard at the same time. The folk element is intensified by flute and occasionally folky keyboard sounds, while the organ and Mellotron (not used often, though) add the glamour of progressive rock. Alison’s contribution is also fantastic, as her voice is sometimes and sometimes soars to great heights as well.
Graeme is a guitarist in the style of a Steve Hackett, on both the acoustic and electric, showing a great feel for melody and refined soloing, but still striving to go beyond his comfort zone every so often, especially with the electric guitar, while Alison definitely deserves to be an even bigger name with a voice as versatile as hers. But it’s not just about the two of them (although they are in the spotlight) because the guests also play an important role in the grandeur of the finished product.
Graeme and Alison have put together a really beautiful album – gentle and tender on one side, but capable of producing stormy weather as well, both on the instrumental and vocal front. Fans of folk rock and the likes of Jethro Tull, Horselips and Clannad should pick this up without a second thought. (Rok Podgrajšek at therocktologist.com)

Media/Samples 
Fleeing Limbus
Fail in Flight (edit)

Links:
HSBW Web page
Alison O'Donnell's Web page
HSBW Facebook
Alison O'Donnell's Facebook