The Reckoning [CD]

Deluxe CD issue of the award-winning Topic album + 3 bonus tracks +
28 page booklet with new sleeve notes by acclaimed journalist/Sandy Denny biographer Mick Houghton +
New intro by John Tams

Originally released in 2005, John Tams’ third and final album, ‘The Reckoning’ received produced a triple whammy at the following year’s BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, winning Best Album, Best Traditional Track (for Bitter Withy) and Folk Singer of the Year.

A masterful collection of traditional and self-composed material including a sepllbinding reading of ‘The Bitter Withy,’ a powerful reworking of ‘A Man Of Constant Sorrow’ and a magnificient set of sea songs including ‘Pretty Nancy’ and ‘A Sailor’s Life.’ The musical settings range from sparse acoustics to full-on band recordings with such musicians as Barry Coope and fellow Albion Band and Home Service alumni Graham Taylor and Roger Wilson.

This new deluxe CD re-issue, as part of the new Topic Treasures series to celebrate the label’s 80th anniversary, features original album artwork, new sleeve notes by respected journalist/Sandy Denny biographer, Mick Houghton, a new intro by Tams and 3 bonus tracks – two previously unreleased.

John Tams was a member of Derbyshire folk group Muckram Wakes in the 1970s, then worked with Ashley Hutchings as singer and melodeon-player on albums including ‘Son of Morris On,’ and as a member of the British folk rock group Albion Band. Splitting with Hutchings in the 1980s, he formed Home Service.

Tams may be best known for playing a regular supporting role (to Sean Bean) in the ITV drama series Sharpe, as rifleman Daniel Hagman. He also co-wrote the music for the series alongside Dominic Muldowney. In 1996, Tams and Muldowney released the best-selling album,’ ‘Over the Hills & Far Away: The Music of Sharpe.’ This album has sold over 120,000 copies. He also worked as a music consultant on War Horse at the National Theatre - the most successful show ever staged by the Na