CD: “East of Alexandria” by Kadia

Since forming in 2012 three piece modern folk outfit Kadia have steady established themselves with a rolling momentum of exceptional performances at festivals and folk Clubs around the South of England. Their first release “Beacon Fires” was a 5 track initial insight of what these three guys are capable of. On the 20th April the band finally release their debut album “East Of Alexandria”, they have spent the past five months pulling together 8 original pieces inspired by traditional maritime and military themes and 4 traditional arrangements. The album’s name is based around the “Battle of the Nile” which was one of Lord Nelson’s most famous naval victories over the French which took place in the southern Mediterranean in the late 18th century.

Kadia have really stepped things up on the new recordings with the introduction of some violin work, a full drum kit as well as the cello, acoustic guitar, ukulele and mandolin with some vibrant foot stomping. The album kicks off with an uplifting version of the traditional “Raggle Taggle Gypsy” a song famously performed regularly on stage by The Waterboys as well as a host of other artists. The introduction of the new elements are subtle and take nothing away from the outlining performance of the original band. The beautiful close harmonies combined with the sheer emotion of Lee’s methodically played cello really come into their own on songs like “The Navigator” and the beautiful “My Friend”.

As with most traditional folk acts Kadia keep no secrets to the backgrounds of their songs and below they have provided a brief description of each song. This of course is usually elaborated during their live performances and gives a comprehensively thorough insight into their songs. There is some rigorously hard work put in here on arrangements and song writing that shows dividends throughout. The infectious “Copper and Gold and the unaccompanied in three part harmony of “The Parting Glass” are testament to this. Chris, Lee and David all have exemplary skills within their own areas. When combining their abundant chemistry the produce something really special, that really leaves it mark on the listener.

Track-Listing
Raggle Taggle Gypsy (Traditional)
Beast of Bodmin Moor
Mary in the Silvery Tide (Traditional)
The Navigator
Origin of Fire
My Friend
The Rise and Fall of Mary Read
Silver Linings
Copper & Gold
Just as the Tide Was Flowing (Traditional)
East of Alexandria
The Parting Glass (Traditional)

East Of Alexandria – Song Backgrounds
1. Raggle Taggle Gypsy
A lady is tempted away from the trappings of her gilded cage when she meets three wild and exciting gypsies and decides to leave behind her new marriage to create a new life with them attracted by the free and nomadic lifestyle. This is an arrangement of a traditional song.

2. Beast of Bodmin Moor
Original song describing the plight of a poor young maiden who rides across the misty fields to meet her secret lover but encounters the Cornish Beast of Bodmin Moor. Legend has it the beast is a large wild black panther-like cat. The poor young maiden is eaten by the creature and this begins the death theme so common in folk songs.

3. Mary in the Silvery Tide
Another arrangement of the traditional song telling the story of Mary, whose reluctance to give in to a Captain’s advances, leads to a gruesome end. As a summary, the Captain loves Mary but as Mary loves Henry, the Captain murders Mary in a fit of jealous rage. In the original version of this song there are many more verses, detailing how the murderer was brought to justice having been identified by his monogrammed handkerchief. The song experiments with different time signatures. Most of the verse is in 6/8 timing except the third of every four bars being in ? timing.

4. The Navigator
An original song telling a simple story of a navigator who recites memories of his family to help him through the early moments of his career in the RAF during the fighting of WW2.

5. Origin of Fire
An arrangement of a Native American traditional tale which describes how a fox accidentally discovers the secret of fire from fireflies and the original tale and lyrics would go on to tell how a fox has a bushy tail, why they are orange and why they are nocturnal.

6. My Friend
A traditional inspired original song with a moral tale, detailing the story of a man who is down on his luck and has lost his job, his family, his home and his friends. But after borrowing all the favours he can and recovering again to his normal life, he realises the importance of friends and giving back.

7. The Rise and Fall of Mary Read
Simply an instrumental song, inspired by an Irish set which comprises various Jigs and Reels.

8. Silver Linings
An original song in the style of a classic, perhaps clichÈ love song which encompasses the calm before, and the weathering of, the storm in a relationship with the moral of; things will work out in the end.

9. Copper & Gold
When you are poor and hungry, grab a guitar and go and busk. This is an original song, based on a true story of a friend of the band who, upon being very poor, busked for dinner and earned enough for three people to eat and drink all evening.

10. Just as the Tide was Flowing
Traditional song. Whilst enjoying leave onshore, a sailor chances across a pretty maiden enjoying the fair weather. She succumbs to his advances and tries to tempt him back on his next visit.

11. East of Alexandria
Inspired by the famous “Battle of the Nile” victory, one of Lord Nelson’s three great naval victories. This one was significant because it was one of the most comprehensive victories in naval history and established Nelson’s fame across Europe. We really liked the story and the history behind it plus let’s be honest, who doesn’t love beating the French?!

12. The Parting Glass
Traditional song. Before the rise in popularity of Auld Lang Syne, this song was commonly sung to wrap up parties and gatherings, sung unaccompanied in three part harmony live in a church in a single take.