So far so good, but what gets really interesting are the songs at the bleakly thoughtful end of classic pop: these I had not expected. Melancholy Way is distant kin to the raindrops of Euston Station; Something Has Got To Change ends on Revolver-like guitar and He Feels No Pain, "...little pills as cool as silver rise like a new moon in his head", recalls For No One in its string accompanied desolation (but then I keep hearing Beatle influences everywhere these days).

A multi-faceted record I liked a lot to start with and that's got even better with every subsequent hearing.

Nick Beale

Spring 1997
The culmination of a long-term ambition of Oyster Band guitarist Alan Prosser comes to fruition on 'Hall Place'. Made up of a batch of Prosser originals, and occasional choice trad cut, he displays an otherwise overlooked talent in the songwriting department producing a set of cracking little gems.

His smoothly authoritative and unhurried vocals set the mood for an album rich in texture, mood and melody, and, calling on the collective talents of various Oysters and Chumbawambas, he creates a beautifully realised collection that builds on his English folk roots and adds Celtic, Breton, blues and even classical strains all approached with a flair for the unusual and offering welcome surprises 'Two Crows', 'The Leaves Of Life', 'He Feels No Pain' and more stand as monuments to his talents in the arranging and songwriting departments. 'Hall Place' is an album that he can be rightly proud of and demonstrates his ability to offer a personal angle outside the Oyster Band's rockier approach and still come up roses.

Steve Caseman

Chwefror/Mawth-February/March 1997
There's a sense of inevitablity about this album. Even if it is largely acoustic and mood reflective, when you take Oysterband's guitarist, add a sprinkling of words from the major Oyster-lyricists, Telfer and Jones, you can't help feeling that some tracks are simply rejected band numbers. Much of the remainder is Prosser showing off technically, naming two instrumental sequences after the '30s Gibson Cromwell he plays them on.

Chumbawumba's Lou Watts helps him with some haunting vocals on Two Crows and there's some fine drumming from Harry Hamer, of the same band. Sheepscar Beck is a gentle political protest, which I sincerely hope goes further. Prosser's album has a less robust flavour than traditional Oyster fare, but is quite tasty, nonetheless.

Caroline John

May-August 1997
Hall Place is a beautifully produced album with sixteen very differing songs. Alan Prosser lets you into his album somewhat slowly. The old Waterson's song, 'The Leaves of Life' changes all that and you can begin to sit back and take in the remainder of the songs. Lou Watts takes the lead vocal in a lovely rendition of the old Scottish ballad 'Two Crows'. Mr Prosser would like the listener to know he has a 1930's Gibson Cromwell guitar, and very nice it sounds too, on two very short instrumentals. The Oysterbander teams up with other band members, Ian Telfer, Chopper and Lee, but be warned; Oysterband II this isn't. It is very much Alan Prosser's solo album.

Terence Allan

July/August 1997
Released at the end of 1996, a copy of Hall Place appeared somewhat belatedly on my doormat, but as an afiçionado committed to spreading the word on all matters OysterBand related, a review now appears.

The first solo offering from an Oyster member, Hall Place represents a collection of eleven songs and five instrumentals, which had been evolving or put together since 1986. With the exception of two pieces written in collaboration with fellow Oysters John Jones and Ian Telfer, the bulk of the music is penned by Prosser, although a smattering of traditional tunes are thrown in for good measure. A number of guests, including the other two Oysters, Lee and Chopper, provide supporting roles, and while much of the music is far from the staple sound of the OysterBand, their influence is occasionally in evidence, especially on the up-beat numbers.

I always tend to think of Alan Prosser purely as the OysterBand's guitar player; invariably live this is all he plays, when in reality he is skilled with a variety of instruments. On Hall Place there is far more room for personal expression, and he is able to give full reign to performances encompassing extended banjo, mandolin and violin playing. While his vocal delivery is less convincing, especially on the slower pieces, such songs are invariably. salvaged purely by the arrangement or instrumental surprise lurking halfway through the song. Typical is Something Has Got To Change which suddenly springs to life from nowhere, with its driven guitar lines screaming with fuzztone distortion.

It is a couple of the slower songs which give the album something of a restrained opening, but early reservations were eroded with The Leaves of Life, a traditional song previously covered by The Watersons. Talking about the album in the F-Word (the official OysterBand fanzine) Prosser acknowledges the inspiration provided by Martin Carthy, and it is in a lively imitation of his staccato style that the song is delivered; Brass Monkey meet the OysterBand? Equally striking, yet tuneful, is the doleful grim atmosphere of Two Crows which follows immediately. A rough translation of Twa Corbies intones Prosser, in his sleeve notes, yet nonetheless it bears quite a similarity to Steeleye Span's treatment more than twenty years ago on Hark the Village Wait. Prosser sensibly leaves the singing on this occasion to Chumbawamba's Lou Watts, whose vocals provide a haunting lament.

There is much to enjoy on this album, both for the uninitiated and Oyster die-hards alike. The sensitive guitar of By Lagan Streams, excellent harmonies on Cold Winter's Night and Money and Love, as well as Raise Me Up, with its rousing homage to the demon drink. It is perhaps these last two songs which are most redolent of the OysterBand sound, but they are oddly placed towards the end of the CD. The first seems to rue an obvious opener for the album, while the other should have closed it, with its sounds of a pub after last orders slowly fading out. Strange indeed, but largely an enjoyable mixed bag nevertheless.

Peter Stevenson

Summer 1997
Alan Prosser is best known as guitarist in the Oyster Band. He describes this assortment of songs and tunes as 'one man's struggle with wood, wire and throat'. There's no hint of the self-indulgence often found when musicians are freed from the discipline imposed by band decisions.

Careful harmonies, and the decision to keep the vocals low in the mix make his singing surprisingly effective. I'd forgotten what an excellent guitarist he is: spot on timing and fluid phrasing. The album is a subtle mix of acoustic and electric instruments. I would have preferred more than the five instrumentals - they're a delight.

By Lagan Streams has the economy and feeling of early Bert Jansch, while the tasteful guitar synth has echoes of Phil Manzanera. The rockers are the strongest and most comfortable songs. If there is a weakness on the CD it's the lyrics. That Melancholy Way about a derelict is lightweight. The pick of the tracks are the traditional song Leaves of Life, and Harry Edward a 5/4 tune composed about Prosser's son. A CD I keep coming back to.

Paul Walker

July-September 1997
Alan is, of course, he of the nodding head and lead guitar from the OysterBand and this is his first solo effort. A galaxy of performers join him on various tracks.

There are 3 traditional numbers: The Leaves of Life; Two Crows sung by Lou Watts; the tune By Lagan Streams. Alan's own material includes 4 stately tunes: Harry Edward, Cromwell I & II; Elham Valley and the songs are: Sheepscar Beck; The Melancholy Way; Something Has Got to Change; He Feels No Pain; Cold Winter's Night; Think of You; Money and Love; Raise Me Up; Empire Building.

As you would expect from his background, the production is lavish and professional, Alan is in good voice and his songs offer a variety ranging through social comment, love lost and won, to good and bad times. This is worth buying purely for the highly original version of The Leaves of Life. An exciting first!