Interesting phrase 'Curate's Egg'. Something that has good and bad aspects in parts.

OK, an album from someone related to the Watersons and the blessed Martin....He's surrounded himself with some of the best vocalists of the revival....he's used some great musicians from the English tradition.....

He plays a nice guitar....

But yet this album is so patchy it could put patches on the most pachless patched quilt.

First track with Christine Collister singing is fine. 'Fylde' is a self indulgent tune. Rather boring. 'My Sweet Lullaby' with Maria Gilhooley is tedious in the extreme 'Go From My Window' with Eliza Carthy is OK, but laboured. 'South Seas' sounds like the backtrack to a BBC Master video game. 'Evona' sung by John Tams is good, 'Hush' sung by him later on the album is embarrassing - the lyrics are awful. Lightning' sing by Barry Coope is good, 'Once in a Blue Moon', vocalized by Norma waterson - no problem - fine stuff. 'Nelly', staring Andy Cutting - top stuff. But then Oliver takes his Mike Oldfield pills. The other non vocal tracks especially 'Sleeping' , an 8 minute 'epic' are highly forgettable. (yawn)

Worth a listen....  But not essential.