Lindisfarne - Radio Times Live At The BBC - Deluxe 8CD Box Set

Formed in the culturally distinct Tyneside area of England’s North-East in 1968, Lindisfarne blended the mercurial song writing talent of singer/guitarist Alan Hull with ‘sweet and sour’ harmonies, proud references to their homeland and a boozy, uplifting acoustic-rock swagger that won over the masses in Britain in the early 70s. Their first three albums – Nicely Out Of Tune (1971), Fog On The Tyne (1972) and Dingly Dell (1973) – all went Top 10, with Fog On The Tyne hitting No.1. Two singles also went Top 10 in the UK: ‘Meet Me On The Corner’ (written by bassist/violinist Rod Clements) and ‘Lady Eleanor’ (written by Hull).

For three years, Lindisfarne shone brightly, creating a kind of folk-rock that was completely their own, with traditional music icing the visceral core of Alan Hull’s socially and ecologically informed songcraft, like the Beatles with Bob Dylan, some mandolins, and a crate of Newcastle Brown Ale. The band split in late 1973, with Hull and singer/mandolinist Ray Jackson forming Lindisfarne Mk II (1974-75).

In 1978, on the back of hugely successful Christmas reunion concerts at Newcastle City Hall, Lindisfarne Mk I were reborn with a triumphant Top 10 single ‘Run For Home’. The band continued, until Hull’s untimely death in 1995. Rod Clements leads the current 50th anniversary touring incarnation, featuring Alan Hull’s son-in-law Dave Hull-Denholm on vocals/guitar. In 2021, BBC4 broadcast the acclaimed documentary Lindisfarne’s Geordie Genius: The Alan Hull Story, presented by Sam Fender.