Quintessentially British, the Midsomer Murders series is a worldwide television phenomenon. This release brings together the music from the latest series focusing especially on the episode 'The Ballad Of Midsomer County', a song featured throughout whose lyrics provide a wealth of clues for DCI Barnaby...

If you're a fan of Midsomer Murders you'll no doubt relish the chance to own a soundtrack that contains segments of the show's score... but hold fire before you rush to buy this album. The music here is taken mainly from a single episode, and the focus is heavily on Folk music. Therefore, it goes without saying, that if, like me, you're not a fan of the Folk scene, then you'll find very little to enjoy here.

I think my biggest problem (other than the obvious Folk angle) is that we get not one, not two, but three versions of 'The Ballad of Midsomer County'. They don't differ other than they are sung by different people and contain different instruments. It's not a particularly strong song in the first place, and just felt like they were desperate to pad the album out.

There is some welcome relief from all the Folk, with a handful of tracks by Jim Parker (including the obligatory theme music). But there's just too much cheesy Folk here for my liking.

Tracklisting:

01. Midsomer Murders Folk Theme - Seth Lakeman
02. The Ballad of Midsomer County - Lucie Jones accompanied by Seth Lakeman
03. Pagan Ceremony – Jim Parker
04. Blood Red Roses - The Nettlebed Collective
05. The Sloe / Bonny Kate - The Nettlebed Collective
06. Homecoming – Jim Parker
07. Johnny Has Gone For A Soldier - Lucie Jones with The Nettlebed Collective
08. The Ballad of Midsomer County - Lucie Jones & Seth Lakeman
09. The Lake – Jim Parker
10. The Golden Vanity - The Nettlebed Collective
11. Echoes – Jim Parker
12. Merrily Kissed The Quaker’s Wife - The Nettlebed Collective
13. The Bold Grenadier - Clarke Peters with The Nettlebed Collective
14. Roulette – Jim Parker
15. The Ballad of Midsomer County - Seth Lakeman
16. Midsomer Murders Theme – Jim Parker

3

Darren Rea