World Turned Upside Down - McDermotts (The)/Levellers (The) > Reviews > world turned upside down

Author's product rating:   

Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency of tracks
How does it rate alongside the competition
Value for Money

Advantages:	very very good music
Disadvantages:	not easy listening background music

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

This album is a collaboration between McDermott's 2 Hours, often cited as a major influence on the levellers, and two of the levellers, namely Jeremy and Charlie. I bought this album because i love the leveller's music and was curious to see what this album was like and the first time i listened to it i have to admit to wondering what i had done! but then i listened to it again and realised, as the music and lyrics crept into my head and stayed there, that i had been mistaken, this was a very, very good album.
It is essentially folk music,lots of fiddle and drum type music, with the undertone of social comment you expect to find in the leveller's usual albums.
the tracks are:
1.world turned upside down
2.another campaign
3.the wheel
4.blue bandana
5.harry brewer
6.taking it on
7.la passionaria
8.laying the sligo maid

i am not going to go into a long dissection about what each song is about, as this depends on each individuals interpretation so you will just have to listen to it and form your own opinion but i will try and say what i thought about some of the tracks.
the first track, world turned upside down, has a medieval sound to it and is, for me, about change and the insecurity of life but the joy of having a soul mate.( you might not agree but thats my interpretation)!
track 5: 'Harry Brewer' is about a soldier in the first world war and, for those of you who know the leveller's stuff, has resonances of another man's cause in the words as it questions what exactly is worth fighting for.
track 6. Taking It On has some of the most beautiful lyrics that i have ever has the pleasure of hearing. it is about accepting people's differences and finding common ground and , again for those of you who know the levellers, has, for me, resonances of outside, inside.
track 8. laying the sligo maid has a brilliant juxtaposition of happy music and sad tale that is just... well brilliant!
In conclusion this album although challenging is well worth buying especially if you like folk/irish music or music with some meaning and message.