Well this is pretty special. An album of never-before-heard 70s British folk by unknown teenager Trevor Beales, recorded alone in the attic of his family home in Hebden Bridge, sometime between 71-74.

This posthumous set - Trevor Beales died suddenly and unexpectedly on March 29th 1987, aged just 33 - is a wonderful listening experience, new songs to devour about all the big themes in life from a commanding baritone voice. He is reminiscent in tone and style Michael Chapman or John Martyn, but with regional traditionalism giving him his own distinct space.

“Ace Todmorden label makes a significant discovery on its own doorstep: a superb cache of ‘loner folk’ songs recorded in the early-70s by Hebden Bridge’s answer to Nick Drake” - Unct




"A precocious talent who loved James Taylor, Chet Atkins and Django Reinhardt, he was by his teenage years a gifted songwriter with a rich voice and storytelling knack that belied his age." - The Guardian 

There is a real sadness to some of the songs that is eerily reminiscent of Jackson C Frank, himself a mysterious character celebrated outside of his lifetime. Fragile, full of melancholy and fleeting like sunlight through cobwebs. The release of the album itself is a really beautiful story too, with Todmorden-based label Basin Rock lovingly bringing together the songs and stories from tapes and reels.

A time capsule and a real treasure. Our December 2022 Record of the Month.




Do you want our staff-picked Record of the Month sent directly to your door? Subscribe for three, six or twelve months to our record club and start adding to your amazing collection.