Poor man’s heaven by Seth Lakeman Review by Rory Stamp

Seth Lakeman isn’t alone in being a successful modern musician inspired by classic rock and 1990s dance music, but few fuse such influences in the way he has on Poor man’s heaven. He’s a footstomping folk frontman at heart, but the fiddled riffs, powerful acoustic guitar and huge bass drums occasionally bring Led Zeppelin and superstar DJs to mind.

There’s no bragging of rock’n’roll excess here, though. Seth’s songs have regional, traditional roots and there’s a strong sea breeze blowing through the album. I’ll haunt you is a banjo-spun yarn from a jealous mariner seeking revenge, and Feather in a storm is a bluesy number cursing the wreckers who once lured ships onto rocks in vicious seas. But the most compelling sea story recalls real events only too fresh in the memory. Named after the Penlee lifeboat so tragically lost with all hands in 1981, Solomon Browne tells of the lifeboat crew’s ‘constant courage’. It’s not a ballad, though; there is an upbeat, appealing guitar melody here that suggests this is a tribute to brave volunteers as well as a mourning of their passing.

The darkest sounds are reserved for Sound of a drum, the final song: a mournful, lovelorn folk ballad. It’s in stark contrast to the album’s title track, with its funky verse and punchy vocals: ‘In a poor man’s heaven we’ll have our way / We won’t have nothing to fear, no / With real feather beds we’ll rest our heads / We’ll all have one of our own.’ (See page 46 for an exclusive interview with Seth Lakeman.)

Music CD Published by Relentless Records under licence to Virgin Records, ©EMI Records Ltd ISBN 5099921700323 Price: £7.98

The Thames – a photographic journey from source to sea by Derek Pratt Review by Carol Waterkeyn

Having lived close to the Thames for several years, it is hardly surprising that I was drawn to this mainly visual account of England’s greatest river. From its tiny source at Thames Head near Kemble to its spectacular meeting of the sea near Gravesend, I was able to recognise many much-loved haunts in Derek Pratt’s coffee-table book. He intersperses fascinating facts and anecdotes among the many appealing photographic images. To give a flavour, there are mentions of Dick Turpin, Henry VIII and Lord Nelson as well as the traditions of swan upping, the Oxford and Cambridge boat race and Henley regatta that continue to this day. RNLI lifeboats on the Thames are not mentioned however!

Hardback book Published by Adlard Coles Nautical ISBN 9780713688320 Price: £19.99

Three men in a boat by Jerome K Jerome Review by Carol Waterkeyn

From fact to pure fiction. Three men in a boat was written in the 1880s, but has travelled well into the 2000s and is surely just as hilarious today. Three friends plus dog decide to travel the length of the Thames in a small boat as an adventure. Their hapless preparations, their penchant for fine food and their precarious voyage are all recorded in detail, alongside many reminiscences of previous excursions. Although the Victorian language is a little hard to follow in places, it’s worth the effort. Don’t read this book in public, though, unless you are prepared for onlookers to think you are a little strange as you will certainly laugh out loud!

Paperback book Published by Penguin ISBN 9780141441214 Price: £5.99

Authentic narrative of the death of Lord Nelson by William Beatty md, adapted by Grant Eustace Review by Mairéad Dwane

Sir William Beatty was the surgeon onboard HMS Victory during the battle of Trafalgar when 55 of the Victory’s crew were killed, including the now legendary Horatio Nelson.

The first half of this audiobook, read by Edward Kelsey (who has voiced characters in such diverse productions as The Archers and Dangermouse), describes movements of the British fleet leading up to and during the battle. Much of the detail has been recorded elsewhere, and at times it was difficult to keep up with the technical naval terms as the narrative progressed. However, the highlights come in the second half, as his physician comments on the Admiral’s lifestyle. We are told that his favourite meal was ‘the wing and liver of some fowl, and a plate of macaroni’, and that his excellent health could be put down to walking the deck for 3 hours a day and ‘rarely exceeding four glasses of wine after dinner’!

As this is a contemporary account, the language is quite archaic. In fact, I felt more transported to 1805 than to the Straits of Gibraltar. This is not an overview of the battle, the man, his demise and subsequent preservation, but rather an insider’s account for the true history buff.

Audiobook CD Published by Crimson Cats ISBN 9780955139444 Price £9.99 plus postage Available from: Crimson Cats Audio Books, The Red Cottage, The Street, Starston, Norfolk, IP20 9NN or from crimsoncats.co.uk where excerpts can be heard.