The album opens with its title track, "The Torquay Pageant Part One." The first five words of the song's first line, "A passion for the past took the counties over," seem to describe this project as a whole. Ian Churchward clearly possesses a strong passion for the past. We hear it not only in the subjects of the songs, but in the music's sound. There is a sweet joy to this track, and some beautiful vocal work by Elaine Churchward, who co-wrote the song with Ian Churchward. I love the blending of their voices. The track sets the scene, working as an introduction, welcoming us. Toward the end, Ian sings, "Now the pageant is forgotten," but this album is testament to the contrary. Then "Torre Abbey" has a more somber vibe. This one takes us back to 1196 and the founding of Torre Abbey. "Many gifts and bequests were received/And their faith in God, they truly believed." This track contains some interesting changes that stand out, especially that cool guitar work. What is also interesting is that the song moves forward several centuries at the end, to the dissolution of the monasteries by King Henry VIII in the late 1530s. Yes, this music contains history lessons.
"William Of Orange" takes us to the 1600s, when William of Orange took the crown from King James II. He and his forces landed at Torbay in 1688. This track has a wonderful, bright sound and is catchy. There is some beautiful work on violin in the second half. That's followed by "The Billy Ruffian," the song's title referring to a boat that was known by that name. Officially known as HMS Bellerophon, it is the ship that Napoleon surrendered to. The ship then landed at Torbay. Again, we can learn a lot from these songs, which is great for those of us in the U.S., where knowledge of history is probably a bit lacking. Don't let the idea of learning something turn you away from this album (or any album by The Legendary Ten Seconds, for that matter), for the music can be enjoyed apart from that. This track has a strong beat, and features some excellent guitar work. There is even a great instrumental section that includes hand claps. Sam Swann plays bass on this track.
"Riots In Torquay" opens in a darker place, the tone of its first moments captivating. And soon there is the distant sound of shouts, before a good rhythm is established. This song tells the tale of riots provoked by the high price of food, something we can certainly relate to now. Known as the Bread Riots, and also as the Food Riots, they took place in 1847 and 1867. This song is beautiful, and again there is a wonderful combination of male and female vocals. Some sound effects are used again later in the song, but they are never overwhelming, but rather in the background. The next song, "Torre Station," takes place around the same time, but this one describing a more cheerful occasion, the opening of Torre Station, which occurred in 1848. It begins with the sound of a locomotive. "The whole event was a great success/Banners proclaimed Brunel's broad gauge/Locomotives in the Victorian age." This one ends as it began, with a train leaving the station. "The Wonderful Paignton Pudding" is also related to the railway, beginning with the lines "In August 1859/They extended the Torbay railway line." This pretty number has some electronic elements, some nice work on keys, and a gorgeous vocal performance. Bridgit England co-wrote this one with Ian Churchward.
"Patent 8294" also takes place in the 1800s. This is a song about Isaac Merritt Singer and his patent for the sewing machine. The connection to the album's theme is that he had moved from New York to Paignton. This one has a somewhat different sound from the earlier tracks, the vocals supported by mainly by keys, though there is also a good lead on guitar in the second half. That's followed by "The Torquay Regatta," which begins with some excellent guitar work. This one also has it own special sound, with acoustic guitar playing an important part. This track also features a strong vocal performance. It was written by Elaine Churchward and Ian Churchward. Then "Buffalo Bill In Torquay" tells of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show's visit to Torquay in 1904. "Riders from many a nation/Bringing great acclamation/Colonel Custer's last stand/With Buffalo Bill in command."
"Arnold's White Feather" begins with a beat. Here Ian sings, "The suffragettes are busy in the town of Torquay/Handing out white feathers to the men that they see." The white feather was a symbol of cowardice. As for the Arnold of the song's title, Ian Churchward tells us, "Arnold Ridley was a teacher at a Torquay school/Received a white feather which was rather cruel/Seen by a suffragette who wore a fox fur/His silver war badge he didn't show to her." And we learn that he had been wounded in the first World War. It was in 1917 that he was handed the feather, not long after being discharged from the service. That's followed by "Agatha Heads Off East," a song about Agatha Christie, who was born in Torquay. There is something beautiful, almost magical about the music here. It is an unexpectedly captivating number, and you might find yourself singing along with the repeated line "It healed her broken heart." This track features a really good bass line and some excellent guitar work.
Interestingly, "The Lady Cable" is another song about a boat, and, like "The Billy Ruffian," it is named after a specific boat. The Lady Cable, a passenger boat, went from Torquay to Dunkirk for the evacuation during World War II. The track begins with the sounds of war. "At Dunkirk there was danger/From the sky, stern and starboard/Called the Lady Cable/She'd sailed from Torquay's harbor." I love the whole vibe of this track, and it features another strong bass line. That's followed by "The Funk Hole Myth." The Funk Hole Myth: Torquay During World War II is the title of a book by David Scott. Apparently, there was an accusation that Torquay was a hiding spot for those who didn't want to contribute to the war effort. Yes, here we get another fascinating story from history delivered in song. One can certainly learn a lot from this album, and be inspired to learn more. And this track features one of the album's best vocal performances. The album concludes with "The Theatre Of Pain," a playful number about the Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls. This is a song I could have related to more before 2004, for the Red Sox until that year always managed to find a way to lose (and yet we always had a good time at the park). "Another season goes down the drain/We have such fun at the theatre of pain/Come and watch the Gulls lose once again." Guy Bolt plays drums on this track.
CD Track List
- The Torquay Pageant Part One
- Torre Abbey
- William Of Orange
- The Billy Ruffian
- Riots In Torquay
- Torre Station
- The Wonderful Paignton Pudding
- Patent 8294
- The Torquay Regatta
- Buffalo Bill In Torquay
- Arnold's White Feather
- Agatha Heads Off East
- The Lady Cable
- The Funk Hole Myth
- The Theatre Of Pain