The Band Of Holy Joy - Rosemary Smith

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The Band Of Holy Joy
Rosemary Smith / Hanging Johny
Flim Flan HARP 6 (1987)

Formed in the New Cross area of London in 1984 from the remains of unsigned 1970s punk band called "Speed", the band included elements of post-punk, alt-folk and European influences to produce work that was definitely influenced by the likes of Jacques Brel and Bertolt Brecht. One critic at the time liked their sound to "urban folk" and displaying "a bohemian mix of inner city guignol, Brechtian street song, and soaring romanticism".

After issuing two self produced cassettes the band was signed to Flim Flam Records, a South London indie label where they released three 45s and two albums.  The band then moved in 1988 to Rough Trade records in where they reached a commercial (and critical) peak.

The label folded following bankruptcy in 1991 and the band re-emerged as "Holy Joy" in 1992 on the Ecuador Records label. The band split in 1993 however they have reformed several times releasing their most recent album, "Scorched Jerusalem",  in 2025.








FLAC








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