Biblioteksøk

Originally released as an
obscure private pressing of
just 100 copies, Gigymen’s
only record has been a hen’s
tooth since it was recorded in
1974. Guersson changed all
that earlier in the year with
a short-run vinyl release – and
here’s the welcome and
significantly cheaper follow-up.

Opener As I Roved Out is
a confident and competent
slab of folk-rock that does
what all good folk-rock should:
amplifies the power and
emotion inherent in its
traditional roots. There are
two more trad rock-outs (the
Irish Rocky Road To Dublin;
and Scottish Gypsy Laddie),
with the accomplished
arrangements and quality of
the musicianship across both
being superb.

Elsewhere, Plain Jane is
Gigymen as the former
Quarrymen – and, indeed the Fab Four are the driving force
behind many of the other
tracks on the record, though
the unnerving Crumbledown
might well be without
precedent. Packed with
photos and info on the
talented bunch who made
this wonderful oddity, this
is a welcome addition to
the private pressings file.