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{{Short description|English psychedelic folk duo}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2012}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2012}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = The Story
| name = The Story
| image = The Story, Tom and Martin.jpg|thumb|'''The Story, Tom and Martin Welham'''
| image = The Story, Tom and Martin.jpg
| caption = Tom & Martin Welham
| caption = Tom & Martin Welham
| image_size =
| image_size =
| alias =
| background = group_or_band
| origin = [[United Kingdom]]
| genre = [[Psychedelic folk]], [[psychedelic pop]], [[progressive folk]], [[psychedelic rock]], [[Acoustic music|acoustic]], [[folk rock]]
| alias =
| years_active = 2002&ndash; present
| origin = [[United Kingdom]]
| genre = [[Psychedelic folk]], [[psychedelic pop]], [[progressive folk]], [[Acoustic music|acoustic]], [[folk rock]]
| label = Good Village, Sunbeam, [[Cold Spring Records|Cold Spring]], [[Rainbow Quartz]]
| associated_acts = [[Forest (band)|Forest]], [[The TimeLarks]]
| years_active = 2002&ndash; present
| website = {{url|thestoryuk.weebly.com}}
| label = [[Good Village Records|Good Village]], [[Sunbeam Records|Sunbeam]], [[Cold Spring Records|Cold Spring]], [[Rainbow Quartz]]
| current_members = Martin Welham<br>Tom Welham
| associated_acts =
| past_members =
| website = {{url|thestoryuk.weebly.com}}
| current_members = Martin Welham<br>Tom Welham
| past_members =
}}
}}
'''The Story''' are an English [[psychedelic folk]] duo comprising former [[Forest (band)|Forest]] member [[Martin Welham]] and his son Tom Welham.{{sfn|Young|2010|p=604}} The pair write and record melodic songs that range from [[psychedelic pop]] to [[Stream of consciousness (psychology)|stream-of-consciousness]] folk and play an array of predominantly acoustic instruments as a backdrop to their blend of vocal harmonies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20080131205602/www.theunbrokencircle.co.uk/TheStory/artist_profile_TheStory.htm |title=Profile of The Story |publisher=Theunbrokencircle.co.uk |date=2008-01-31 |accessdate=2012-08-25}}</ref>
'''The Story''' is an English [[psychedelic folk]] duo comprising the former [[Forest (band)|Forest]] member Martin Welham and his son Tom Welham.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Young |first=Rob |year=2010 |title=Electric Eden |publisher=Faber and Faber Ltd |location=London |isbn=978-0-571-23752-4|page=604 }}</ref> They write and record melodic songs that range from [[psychedelic pop]] to [[Stream of consciousness (psychology)|stream-of-consciousness]] folk and play an array of predominantly acoustic instruments as a backdrop to their blend of vocal harmonies.<ref name=story>{{cite web |url=//www.theunbrokencircle.co.uk/TheStory/artist_profile_TheStory.htm |title=Profile of The Story |website=The Unbroken Circle |date=31 January 2008 |access-date=25 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131205602/http://www.theunbrokencircle.co.uk/TheStory/artist_profile_TheStory.htm |archive-date=31 January 2008}}</ref>


==Biography==
==Biography==
Martin Welham was part of the influential 1960's acid folk trio Forest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theunbrokencircle.co.uk/artist_profile_forest.htm |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080131205633/http://www.theunbrokencircle.co.uk/artist_profile_forest.htm |archivedate=2008-01-31 |title=Classic Artist Profile on TheUnbrokenCircle website |publisher=Theunbrokencircle.co.uk |date=2008-01-31 |accessdate=2012-08-25}}</ref> In the early 2000s, thirty years after Forest disbanded, he formed [[Somerset]] based band The Story with his son Tom and returned to recording music. The duo's sound has echoes of Martin's earlier work<ref>"Citizens Arcane",'' Shindig'', Vol 2 (May - June 2008):32</ref> with authentic psychedelic songwriting at its core.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.psychedelicfolk.com/TheStory.html |title=psychedelic Folk review page : The Story |publisher=Psychedelicfolk.com |date= |accessdate=2012-08-25}}</ref>
Martin Welham was part of the influential 1960s acid folk trio Forest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theunbrokencircle.co.uk/artist_profile_forest.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131205633/http://www.theunbrokencircle.co.uk/artist_profile_forest.htm |archive-date=31 January 2008 |title=Classic Artist Profile|website=The Unbroken Circle|date=31 January 2008 |access-date=25 August 2012}}</ref> In the early 2000s, thirty years after Forest disbanded, he formed the [[Somerset]] based band The Story with his son Tom and returned to recording music. Their sound has echoes of Martin's earlier work<ref>{{cite journal|title=Citizens Arcane|journal=Shindig!|volume=2|date=May–June 2008|page=32}}</ref> with authentic psychedelic songwriting at its core.<ref name=story/>


The band's first release was a 2005 vinyl split album, ''The Dawn Is Crowned'', with Californian [[freak folk]] band Whysp on Good Village Records. The Story's side features five broadly acoustic tracks that blend esoteric, dark imagery with powerful vocal harmonies resulting in an un-attributable psychedelic air.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20080203214045/www.theunbrokencircle.co.uk/album_reviews_11.htm |title=The Dawn Is Crowned Review |publisher=Theunbrokencircle.co.uk |date=2008-02-03 |accessdate=2012-08-25}}</ref>
The band's first release was a 2005 vinyl split album, ''The Dawn Is Crowned'', with Californian [[freak folk]] band Whysp on Good Village Records. The Story's side has five broadly acoustic tracks that blend esoteric, dark imagery with powerful vocal harmonies resulting in an unattributable psychedelic air.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theunbrokencircle.co.uk/album_reviews_11.htm |title=The Dawn Is Crowned Review |website=The Unbroken Circle |date=3 February 2008 |access-date=25 August 2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419074725/http://www.theunbrokencircle.co.uk/album_reviews_11.htm/ |archive-date=19 April 2012 }}</ref>


In 2006 the band released their first full-length album ''Tale Spin'' on Sunbeam Records - the first contemporary artists released by the label.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sunbeamrecords.com/THE_STORY/the_story.html |title=The Story biography at |publisher=Sunbeamrecords.com |date= |accessdate=2012-08-25}}</ref> This psychedelic [[folk pop]] album features acoustic guitars, keyboards and light percussion combined with airy harmony vocals and wistful melodies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.othermusic.com/2006may11update.html |title=Tale Spin review |publisher=Othermusic.com |date=2006-05-11 |accessdate=2012-08-25}}</ref>
In 2006, the band released its first full-length album, ''Tale Spin'', on Sunbeam Records, the first contemporary artists released by the label.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sunbeamrecords.com/THE_STORY/the_story.html |title=The Story biography at |publisher=Sunbeam Records|access-date=25 August 2012}}</ref> This [[psychedelic folk]] album features acoustic guitars, keyboards and light percussion combined with airy harmony vocals and wistful melodies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.othermusic.com/2006may11update.html |title=Tale Spin review |website=Other Music |date=11 May 2006 |access-date=25 August 2012}}</ref>


Follow-up album ''Arcane Rising'' was released in 2007. A stream of consciousness conceptual [[song cycle]], the album is made up of improvised melodies and acoustic guitar backings augmented by flutes, melody harp, harmonica and hand percussion. Lyrically the album celebrates life and nature through the changing seasons whilst questioning [[religious doctrine]]s and humankind's [[ecological]] footprint.<ref>"The Story Arcane Rising Review",'' Shindig'', Vol 2 (May - June 2008):59</ref> Also in 2007, The Story's sinister track "The Wicker Man" featured on the dark folk compilation album ''John Barleycorn Reborn'' on [[Cold Spring Records]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6xSYKJt2rM |title=The Wicker Man video |publisher=Youtube.com |date=2010-06-28 |accessdate=2012-08-25}}</ref>
A follow-up album, ''Arcane Rising'', was released in 2007. A stream of consciousness conceptual [[song cycle]], the album is made up of improvised melodies and acoustic guitar backings augmented by flutes, melody harp, harmonica and hand percussion. Lyrically, the album celebrates life and nature through the changing seasons while questioning [[religious doctrine]]s and humankind's [[ecological]] footprint.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Story Arcane Rising Review|journal=Shindig!|volume=2|date=May–June 2008|page=59}}</ref> Also in 2007, The Story's sinister track "The Wicker Man" appeared on the dark folk compilation album ''John Barleycorn Reborn'' on [[Cold Spring Records]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6xSYKJt2rM |title=The Wicker Man video |website=Youtube |date=28 June 2010 |access-date=25 August 2012}}</ref>


The band's acclaimed<ref>"Album Review",'' Uncut'', (November 2011)</ref> third full-length album ''Joy Ride on Memory Lane'' was released in 2011 on Rainbow Quartz Records under the band name The Story UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.redeyeusa.com/artist/14723/albums/CD-RQTZ-179/ |title=Red Eye Distribution artist information |publisher=Redeyeusa.com |date=2011-09-27 |accessdate=2012-08-25}}</ref> This confident, hook-laden<ref>{{cite web|last=Haag |first=Stephen |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/150749-the-story-uk-joy-ride-on-memory-lane/ |title=Popmatters review |publisher=Popmatters.com |date= |accessdate=2012-08-25}}</ref> psych album has a rockier sound than previous releases<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.terrascope.co.uk/Reviews/Reviews_November_11.htm#TheGenuineStory |title=Terrascope Magazine album review |publisher=Terrascope.co.uk |date=1997-04-26 |accessdate=2012-08-25}}</ref> whilst continuing to incoporate the duo's warm harmonies and highly melodic aesthetic.<ref>"Joy Ride on Memory Lane Review",'' Shindig'', Vol 4 (24 November 2011)</ref> Cold Spring Records 2011 dark folk compilation album ''John Barleycorn Reborn: Rebirth'' included The Story's ritualistic celebration piece "All Hallow's Eve".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coldspring.co.uk/discography/csr150cd.php |title=John Barleycorn Reborn: Rebirth information |publisher=Coldspring.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2012-08-25}}</ref>
The band's acclaimed<ref>"Album Review", ''Uncut'', November 2011</ref> third full-length album, ''Joy Ride on Memory Lane'', was released in 2011 by Rainbow Quartz Records under the band name The Story UK.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.redeyeusa.com/artist/14723/albums/CD-RQTZ-179/ |title=Red Eye Distribution artist information |publisher=Red Eye Distribution |date=27 September 2011 |access-date=25 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320052500/http://www.redeyeusa.com/artist/14723/albums/CD-RQTZ-179/ |archive-date=20 March 2012}}</ref> This confident, hook-laden<ref>{{cite web |last=Haag |first=Stephen |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/150749-the-story-uk-joy-ride-on-memory-lane/ |title=Popmatters review |website=PopMatters |access-date=25 August 2012 |archive-date=8 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608235739/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/150749-the-story-uk-joy-ride-on-memory-lane/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> psychedelic album has a rockier sound than previous releases<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.terrascope.co.uk/Reviews/Reviews_November_11.htm#TheGenuineStory |title=THE STORY UK – JOY RIDE ON MEMORY LANE |work=Terrascope|date=26 April 1997 |access-date=25 August 2012}}</ref> while continuing to incorporate the duo's warm harmonies and highly melodic aesthetic.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Joy Ride on Memory Lane Review|journal=Shindig!|volume=4|date=24 November 2011}}</ref> Cold Spring Records' 2011 dark folk compilation album, ''John Barleycorn Reborn: Rebirth'', included The Story's ritualistic celebration piece "All Hallow's Eve".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.coldspring.co.uk/discography/csr150cd.php |title=John Barleycorn Reborn: Rebirth information |publisher=Cold Spring Records |access-date=25 August 2012 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305095106/http://coldspring.co.uk/discography/csr150cd.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>


In 2018, the psychedelic folk rock release, ''The Dawn is Crowned with Opium Tears'', brought together the first ever digital release of the band's 2005 vinyl LP, with five esoteric, darkly oblique, progressive psychedelic rock songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRV-RRO-ox0&t=982s |title=The Story - UK psych band in conversation: 'The Whole Story' (2018) |website=Youtube |date=9 March 2018 |access-date=11 March 2018}}</ref>
Since 2011, Martin and Tom have also performed as part of the folk trio The TimeLarks<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.facebook.com/thetimelarks/ |title=TimeLarks profile |publisher=Facebook.com |date=2012-05-27 |accessdate=2012-08-25}}</ref> and appeared at the 2012 [[International Pop Overthrow]] festival in Liverpool's [[Cavern Club]].


==Discography==
==Discography==
===Split album===


===Split album===
{{Infobox album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
{{Infobox album
| Name = The Dawn is Crowned
| Type = studio
| italic_title = no
| Longtype = (split vinyl album)
| name = The Dawn is Crowned
| Artist = The Story and Whysp
| type = studio
| Cover =
| longtype = (split vinyl album)
| Released = October 2005
| artist = The Story and Whysp
| Recorded =
| cover =
| alt =
| Genre = [[Psych folk]], [[Acoustic music|acoustic]]
| Length =
| released = October 2005
| recorded =
| Label = Good Village Recordings
| Producer = The Story
| venue =
| Reviews =
| studio =
| genre = [[Psychedelic folk]], [[Acoustic music|acoustic]]
| length =
| label = Good Village Recordings
| producer = The Story
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
}}
====''The Dawn Is Crowned''====


====''The Dawn Is Crowned''====
{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| writing_credits = yes
| title1 = Beginning
| title1 = Beginning
| writer1 = T. Welham
| writer1 = T. Welham
Line 70: Line 76:
| total_length = 16:06
| total_length = 16:06
}}
}}



===Studio albums===
===Studio albums===
{{Infobox album
| italic_title = no
| name = Tale Spin
| type = studio
| artist = The Story
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 7 March 2006
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Psychedelic folk]]
| length = 37:32
| label = Sunbeam
| producer = The Story
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}


{{Infobox album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
| Name = Tale Spin
| Type = studio
| Artist = The Story
| Cover =
| Released = 7 March 2006
| Recorded =
| Genre = [[Folk pop]], [[psych pop]]
| Length = 37:32
| Label = Sunbeam
| Producer = The Story
| Reviews =
}}
====''Tale Spin''====
====''Tale Spin''====

{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| writing_credits = yes
| title1 = The Story
| title1 = The Story
| writer1 = M. Welham
| writer1 = M. Welham
Line 127: Line 137:
}}
}}


{{Infobox album

| italic_title = no

| name = Arcane Rising
{{Infobox album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
| Name = Arcane Rising
| type = studio
| Type = studio
| artist = The Story
| Artist = The Story
| cover =
| Cover =
| alt =
| Released = 6 November 2007
| released = 6 November 2007
| Recorded =
| recorded =
| venue =
| Genre = [[Psych folk]], [[Acoustic music|acoustic]]
| Length = 39:58
| studio =
| genre = [[Psychedelic folk]], [[Acoustic music|acoustic]]
| Label = Sunbeam
| Producer = The Story
| length = 39:58
| Reviews =
| label = Sunbeam
| producer = The Story
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
}}
====''Arcane Rising''====


====''Arcane Rising''====
{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| writing_credits = yes
| title1 = A Story to Tell
| title1 = A Story to Tell
| writer1 = T. Welham, M. Welham
| writer1 = T. Welham, M. Welham
Line 155: Line 169:
| writer3 = M. Welham, T. Welham
| writer3 = M. Welham, T. Welham
| length3 = 2:42
| length3 = 2:42
| title4 = You Caught Me Just In Time
| title4 = You Caught Me Just in Time
| writer4 = T. Welham, M. Welham
| writer4 = T. Welham, M. Welham
| length4 = 1:57
| length4 = 1:57
Line 197: Line 211:
}}
}}


{{Infobox album

| italic_title = no

| name = Joy Ride on Memory Lane
{{Infobox album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
| Name = Joy Ride on Memory Lane
| type = studio
| Type = studio
| artist = The Story UK
| Artist = The Story UK
| cover =
| Cover =
| alt =
| Released = 11 September 2011
| released = 11 September 2011
| Recorded =
| recorded =
| venue =
| Genre = [[psych pop]], [[Rock music|rock]]
| Length = 50:23
| studio =
| genre = [[Psychedelic pop]], [[Rock music|rock]]
| Label = Rainbow Quartz
| Producer = The Story UK
| length = 50:23
| Reviews =
| label = Rainbow Quartz
| producer = The Story UK
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
}}
====''Joy Ride On Memory Lane''====


====''Joy Ride on Memory Lane''====
{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| writing_credits = yes
| title1 = Her Name Is Love
| title1 = Her Name Is Love
| writer1 = T. Welham
| writer1 = T. Welham
| length1 = 4:02
| length1 = 4:02
| title2 = Standing In the Rain"<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5zrx7ZwhmA Standing in the Rain video ]</ref>
| title2 = Standing in the Rain"<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5zrx7ZwhmA Standing in the Rain video], ''Youtube''</ref>
| writer2 = T. Welham
| writer2 = T. Welham
| length2 = 3:55
| length2 = 3:55
Line 255: Line 273:
}}
}}


{{Infobox album
==Reception==
| italic_title = no
| name = The Dawn is Crowned with Opium Tears
| type = studio
| artist = The Story UK
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 1 March 2018
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Psychedelic folk]], [[psychedelic rock]]
| length = 38:13
| label = The Story UK
| producer = The Story UK
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}


====''The Dawn is Crowned with Opium Tears''====
{{Track listing
| title1 = Beginning
| writer1 = T. Welham
| length1 = 1:27
| title2 = Floating Box
| writer2 = M. Welham, T. Welham
| length2 = 4:24
| title3 = Road to Ascension
| writer3 = T. Welham, M. Welham
| length3 = 4:02
| title4 = Emergency
| writer4 = M. Welham
| length4 = 2:27
| title5 = English Oak
| writer5 = T. Welham
| length5 = 4:22
| title6 = The Moon, The Sun
| writer6 = M. Welham, T. Welham
| length6 = 5:00
| title7 = Wonderland
| writer7 = T. Welham
| length7 = 4:41
| title8 = Dawn Tourist
| writer8 = M. Welham
| length8 = 4:13
| title9 = The Wickerman
| writer9 = M. Welham, T. Welham
| length9 = 2:30
| title10 = Opium Tears
| writer10 = M. Welham
| length10 = 5:07
| total_length = 38:13
}}

==Reception==
{{Album ratings
{{Album ratings
|rev1 = [[Dusted]]
|rev1 = ''Dusted''
|rev1score = (Positive) <ref name="Dusted">Mosurak, Doug [http://www.dustedmagazine.com/features/454/ Review: ''The Dawn Is Crowned'']. Retrieved 15 November 2011.</ref>
|rev1score = Positive<ref name="Dusted">{{cite news|author=Mosurak, Doug|url=http://www.dustedmagazine.com/features/454/|title=the Story/Whysp The Dawn is Crowned split 12" LP|work=Dusted|access-date=15 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612042513/http://www.dustedmagazine.com/features/454/ |archive-date=12 June 2012 }}</ref>
|rev2 = [[UnbrokenCircle]]
|rev2 = ''The Unbroken Circle''
|rev2score = (Favorable) <ref name="Unbroken Circle">Coyle, Mark [http://web.archive.org/web/20080203214045/http://www.theunbrokencircle.co.uk/album_reviews_11.htm/ Review: ''The Dawn Is Crowned'']. Retrieved 28 August 2012.</ref>
|rev2score = Favorable<ref name="Unbroken Circle">{{cite web|author=Coyle, Mark|url=http://www.theunbrokencircle.co.uk/album_reviews_11.htm/|title=The Story / Whysp - The Dawn in Crowned|website=The Unbroken Circle|date=December 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203214045/http://www.theunbrokencircle.co.uk/album_reviews_11.htm/|access-date=28 August 2012|archive-date=3 February 2008}}</ref>
}}
}}
====''The Dawn Is Crowned''====
The Story's contribution to the split vinyl LP ''The Dawn Is Crowned'' was described by Doug Mosurak of ''Dusted'' Magazine as "panoptic in scope and fairly timeless, interjecting frills and fantasy elements into solid, warm musicianship". <ref name="Dusted">Mosurak, Doug [http://www.dustedmagazine.com/features/454/ Review: ''The Dawn Is Crowned'']. Retrieved 15 November 2011.</ref> While UnbrokenCircle's Mark Coyle descibed the song "Road To Ascension" as "a masterpiece of any era" and the vocal harmonies as "incredible with an un-attributable psychedelic air". <ref name="Unbroken Circle">Coyle, Mark [http://web.archive.org/web/20080203214045/http://www.theunbrokencircle.co.uk/album_reviews_11.htm/ Review: ''The Dawn Is Crowned'']. Retrieved 28 August 2012.</ref>


===''The Dawn Is Crowned''===
The Story's contribution to the split vinyl LP ''The Dawn Is Crowned'' was described by Doug Mosurak of ''Dusted'' as "panoptic in scope and fairly timeless, interjecting frills and fantasy elements into solid, warm musicianship",<ref name="Dusted"/> while ''The Unbroken Circle'''s Mark Coyle described the song "Road To Ascension" as "a masterpiece of any era" and the vocal harmonies as "incredible with an un-attributable psychedelic air".<ref name="Unbroken Circle"/>


{{Album ratings
{{Album ratings
|rev1 = [[FoxyDigitalis]]
|rev1 = ''FoxyDigitalis''
|rev1score = {{Rating|8|10}}<ref name="PopMatters">Penczak, Jeff [http://www.digitalisindustries.com/foxyd/reviews.php?which=1179/ Review: The Story: ''Tale Spin'']. Retrieved 28 August 2012.</ref>
|rev1score = {{Rating|8|10}}<ref name="digitalisindustries">Penczak, Jeff [http://www.digitalisindustries.com/foxyd/reviews.php?which=1179/ Review: The Story: ''Tale Spin'']. Retrieved 28 August 2012. {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130121131100/http://www.digitalisindustries.com/foxyd/reviews.php?which=1179/ |date=21 January 2013 }}</ref>
|rev2 = [[PsychedelicFolk.com]]
|rev2 = ''Psychedelic Folk''
|rev2score = (Favorable) <ref name="PsychedelicFolk">Van Waes, Gerald [http://www.psychedelicfolk.com/thestory.html/ Review: The Story: ''Tale Spin''. Retrieved 28 August 2012.</ref>
|rev2score = Favourable<ref name="PsychedelicFolk">Van Waes, Gerald [http://www.psychedelicfolk.com/thestory.html/ Review: The Story: ''Tale Spin''], ''Psychedelic Folk''. Retrieved 28 August 2012. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723065550/http://www.psychedelicfolk.com/thestory.html |date=23 July 2012 }}</ref>
}}
}}
====''Tale Spin''====
Jeff Penczak of ''Foxy Digitalis'' Magazine described ''Tale Spin'' as "a whistful collection of melodic folk pop full of gorgeous harmonies" while PsychedelicFolk.com's Gerald Van Waes noted the "warm, delicate beautiful harmony vocals, simple guitars and percussion" making it "a beautiful album and another winner for true and truthful acid folk collectors."



===''Tale Spin''===
Jeff Penczak of ''Foxy Digitalis'' described ''Tale Spin'' as "a whistful collection of melodic folk pop full of gorgeous harmonies" while ''Psychedelic Folk'''s Gerald Van Waes noted the "warm, delicate beautiful harmony vocals, simple guitars and percussion" making it "a beautiful album and another winner for true and truthful acid folk collectors".
{{Album ratings
{{Album ratings
|rev1 = [[PopMatters]]
|rev1 = ''[[PopMatters]]''
|rev1score = {{Rating|7|10}}<ref name="PopMatters">Haag, Stephen [http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/150749-the-story-uk-joy-ride-on-memory-lane/ Review: The Story UK: ''Joy Ride on Memory Lane'']. Retrieved 15 November 2011.</ref>
|rev1score = {{Rating|7|10}}<ref name="PopMatters">{{cite web|author=Haag, Stephen|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/150749-the-story-uk-joy-ride-on-memory-lane/|title=Review: The Story UK: ''Joy Ride on Memory Lane''|website=PopMatters|access-date=15 November 2011}}</ref>
|rev2 = ''[[Shindig|Shindig!]]''
|rev2 = ''Shindig!''
|rev2score = (Positive) <ref name="Uncut">{{cite journal |last=Curran |first=Pat |title=Review: ''Joy Ride on Memory Lane'' |journal=[[Shindig|Shindig!]] |year=2011 |month=November |date=24 November 2011}}</ref>
|rev2score = Positive<ref name="Uncut">{{cite journal |last=Curran |first=Pat |title=Review: ''Joy Ride on Memory Lane''|journal=Shindig! |date=24 November 2011}}</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''
|rev3 = ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''
|rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite journal |last=Young |first=Rob |title=Review: ''Album Review'' |journal=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]] |year=2011 |month=November |page=102}}</ref>
|rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite journal |last=Young |first=Rob |title=Review: ''Album Review'' |journal=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]] |date=November 2011 |page=102}}</ref>
}}
}}
====''Joy Ride on Memory Lane''====
''Joy Ride on Memory Lane'' has received positive reviews. PopMatters' Stephen Haag described the album as "Utterly Charming" and noted that the duo "definitely have near-encyclopedic knowledge of the Britfolk/psych genre".<ref name="PopMatters" /> ''Shindig!'' Magazine's Pat Curran described the songs as "highly melodic, warm and inviting" and commented that the album "bears repeated listening and comes highly recommended."<ref name="Uncut" /> ''Uncut'' Magazine's Rob Young said the father and son "make a hugely sympathetic pairing" and that the album "combines the best elements of Brit folk-rock's heyday".<ref name=autogenerated1 />


===''Joy Ride on Memory Lane''===
''Joy Ride on Memory Lane'' received positive reviews. For ''PopMatters'', Stephen Haag described the album as "Utterly Charming" and noted that the duo "definitely have near-encyclopedic knowledge of the Britfolk/psych genre".<ref name="PopMatters" /> ''Shindig!'' magazine's Pat Curran described the songs as "highly melodic, warm and inviting" and commented that the album "bears repeated listening and comes highly recommended".<ref name="Uncut" /> ''Uncut'' magazine's Rob Young said the father and son "make a hugely sympathetic pairing" and that the album "combines the best elements of Brit folk-rock's heyday".<ref name=autogenerated1 />


==The TimeLarks==
In 2011, Martin and Tom began performing as part of the folk trio The TimeLarks<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.facebook.com/thetimelarks/ |title=TimeLarks profile |website=Facebook |date=27 May 2012 |access-date=25 August 2012}}</ref> and appeared at the 2012 [[International Pop Overthrow]] festival at the [[Cavern Club]] in Liverpool. In 2016, they released two progressive acoustic folk albums, ''Wheel of Stone'' and ''Grain of Light''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/TheTimelarks |title=The TimeLarks discography |publisher=CD Baby |date=1 December 2016|access-date=11 March 2018}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==Sources==
==External links==
* {{Official website|http://thestoryuk.weebly.com/}}
{{Refbegin|colwidth=45em}}
* {{YouTube|channel=UCX5A1iFPOucdTzB-eLRimpw|title=The Story}}
* {{Cite book|last=Young |first=Rob |year=2010 |title=Electric Eden |publisher=Faber and Faber Ltd |location=London |isbn=978-0-571-23752-4 |ref=harv}}

{{Refend}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Story, The}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Story, The}}
[[Category:Psychedelic music]]
[[Category:Psychedelic folk groups]]
[[Category:Psychedelic musical groups]]
[[Category:Psych folk groups]]
[[Category:Family musical groups]]
[[Category:Family musical groups]]
[[Category:British folk rock groups]]

Latest revision as of 05:08, 16 September 2023

The Story
Tom & Martin Welham
Tom & Martin Welham
Background information
OriginUnited Kingdom
GenresPsychedelic folk, psychedelic pop, progressive folk, psychedelic rock, acoustic, folk rock
Years active2002– present
LabelsGood Village, Sunbeam, Cold Spring, Rainbow Quartz
MembersMartin Welham
Tom Welham
Websitethestoryuk.weebly.com

The Story is an English psychedelic folk duo comprising the former Forest member Martin Welham and his son Tom Welham.[1] They write and record melodic songs that range from psychedelic pop to stream-of-consciousness folk and play an array of predominantly acoustic instruments as a backdrop to their blend of vocal harmonies.[2]

Biography

[edit]

Martin Welham was part of the influential 1960s acid folk trio Forest.[3] In the early 2000s, thirty years after Forest disbanded, he formed the Somerset based band The Story with his son Tom and returned to recording music. Their sound has echoes of Martin's earlier work[4] with authentic psychedelic songwriting at its core.[2]

The band's first release was a 2005 vinyl split album, The Dawn Is Crowned, with Californian freak folk band Whysp on Good Village Records. The Story's side has five broadly acoustic tracks that blend esoteric, dark imagery with powerful vocal harmonies resulting in an unattributable psychedelic air.[5]

In 2006, the band released its first full-length album, Tale Spin, on Sunbeam Records, the first contemporary artists released by the label.[6] This psychedelic folk album features acoustic guitars, keyboards and light percussion combined with airy harmony vocals and wistful melodies.[7]

A follow-up album, Arcane Rising, was released in 2007. A stream of consciousness conceptual song cycle, the album is made up of improvised melodies and acoustic guitar backings augmented by flutes, melody harp, harmonica and hand percussion. Lyrically, the album celebrates life and nature through the changing seasons while questioning religious doctrines and humankind's ecological footprint.[8] Also in 2007, The Story's sinister track "The Wicker Man" appeared on the dark folk compilation album John Barleycorn Reborn on Cold Spring Records.[9]

The band's acclaimed[10] third full-length album, Joy Ride on Memory Lane, was released in 2011 by Rainbow Quartz Records under the band name The Story UK.[11] This confident, hook-laden[12] psychedelic album has a rockier sound than previous releases[13] while continuing to incorporate the duo's warm harmonies and highly melodic aesthetic.[14] Cold Spring Records' 2011 dark folk compilation album, John Barleycorn Reborn: Rebirth, included The Story's ritualistic celebration piece "All Hallow's Eve".[15]

In 2018, the psychedelic folk rock release, The Dawn is Crowned with Opium Tears, brought together the first ever digital release of the band's 2005 vinyl LP, with five esoteric, darkly oblique, progressive psychedelic rock songs.[16]

Discography

[edit]

Split album

[edit]
The Dawn is Crowned
Studio album (split vinyl album) by
The Story and Whysp
ReleasedOctober 2005
GenrePsychedelic folk, acoustic
LabelGood Village Recordings
ProducerThe Story

The Dawn Is Crowned

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Beginning"T. Welham1:20
2."Floating Box"M. Welham, T. Welham4:17
3."Road to Ascension"T. Welham, M. Welham3:53
4."Emergency"M. Welham2:26
5."English Oak"T. Welham4:54
Total length:16:06

Studio albums

[edit]
Tale Spin
Studio album by
The Story
Released7 March 2006
GenrePsychedelic folk
Length37:32
LabelSunbeam
ProducerThe Story

Tale Spin

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Story"M. Welham3:38
2."Hope and Pray"T. Welham2:51
3."Roll of the Dice"T. Welham1:33
4."Down to the Trees"M. Welham, T. Welham3:07
5."Windmills"T. Welham4:33
6."Walking the Wall"M. Welham3:21
7."Anyway"T. Welham3:05
8."Strange World"T. Welham2:43
9."Winterborn"M. Welham4:24
10."All Around Me"T. Welham3:34
11."Between the Lines"T. Welham, M. Welham4:43
Total length:37:32
Arcane Rising
Studio album by
The Story
Released6 November 2007
GenrePsychedelic folk, acoustic
Length39:58
LabelSunbeam
ProducerThe Story

Arcane Rising

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."A Story to Tell"T. Welham, M. Welham1:15
2."Lingering"M. Welham, T. Welham2:46
3."Watch Out"M. Welham, T. Welham2:42
4."You Caught Me Just in Time"T. Welham, M. Welham1:57
5."Winter Light"M. Welham, T. Welham2:21
6."The Darkened Path"M. Welham, T. Welham2:44
7."Slipstreams"M. Welham, T. Welham4:26
8."A Wheel Turns"T. Welham, M. Welham1:00
9."Awake Aware"T. Welham, M. Welham1:24
10."Away With It All"T. Welham, M. Welham1:42
11."The Fox"M. Welham, T. Welham1:54
12."Precious One"T. Welham, M. Welham4:43
13."Flash Across The Sky"M. Welham, T. Welham3:01
14."Dappled Stream"T. Welham, M. Welham3:00
15."A Course of Action"T. Welham, M. Welham3:47
16."Night Calls"M. Welham, T. Welham1:16
Total length:39:58
Joy Ride on Memory Lane
Studio album by
The Story UK
Released11 September 2011
GenrePsychedelic pop, rock
Length50:23
LabelRainbow Quartz
ProducerThe Story UK

Joy Ride on Memory Lane

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Her Name Is Love"T. Welham4:02
2."Standing in the Rain"[17]"T. Welham3:55
3."For the Good of Your Soul"M. Welham4:41
4."Running Out of Time"T. Welham3:29
5."A Stone's Throw Away"M. Welham, T. Welham3:06
6."Roundabout"T. Welham5:17
7."Sixty Eight"M. Welham4:17
8."Andromeda"M. Welham4:32
9."She Doesn't Care"M. Welham, T. Welham3:53
10."Real World"M. Welham3:29
11."The Chase"T. Welham, M. Welham4:27
12."Magic Lantern"T. Welham, M. Welham5:15
Total length:50:23
The Dawn is Crowned with Opium Tears
Studio album by
The Story UK
Released1 March 2018
GenrePsychedelic folk, psychedelic rock
Length38:13
LabelThe Story UK
ProducerThe Story UK

The Dawn is Crowned with Opium Tears

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Beginning"T. Welham1:27
2."Floating Box"M. Welham, T. Welham4:24
3."Road to Ascension"T. Welham, M. Welham4:02
4."Emergency"M. Welham2:27
5."English Oak"T. Welham4:22
6."The Moon, The Sun"M. Welham, T. Welham5:00
7."Wonderland"T. Welham4:41
8."Dawn Tourist"M. Welham4:13
9."The Wickerman"M. Welham, T. Welham2:30
10."Opium Tears"M. Welham5:07
Total length:38:13

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
DustedPositive[18]
The Unbroken CircleFavorable[19]

The Dawn Is Crowned

[edit]

The Story's contribution to the split vinyl LP The Dawn Is Crowned was described by Doug Mosurak of Dusted as "panoptic in scope and fairly timeless, interjecting frills and fantasy elements into solid, warm musicianship",[18] while The Unbroken Circle's Mark Coyle described the song "Road To Ascension" as "a masterpiece of any era" and the vocal harmonies as "incredible with an un-attributable psychedelic air".[19]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
FoxyDigitalis[20]
Psychedelic FolkFavourable[21]

Tale Spin

[edit]

Jeff Penczak of Foxy Digitalis described Tale Spin as "a whistful collection of melodic folk pop full of gorgeous harmonies" while Psychedelic Folk's Gerald Van Waes noted the "warm, delicate beautiful harmony vocals, simple guitars and percussion" making it "a beautiful album and another winner for true and truthful acid folk collectors".

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
PopMatters[22]
Shindig!Positive[23]
Uncut[24]

Joy Ride on Memory Lane

[edit]

Joy Ride on Memory Lane received positive reviews. For PopMatters, Stephen Haag described the album as "Utterly Charming" and noted that the duo "definitely have near-encyclopedic knowledge of the Britfolk/psych genre".[22] Shindig! magazine's Pat Curran described the songs as "highly melodic, warm and inviting" and commented that the album "bears repeated listening and comes highly recommended".[23] Uncut magazine's Rob Young said the father and son "make a hugely sympathetic pairing" and that the album "combines the best elements of Brit folk-rock's heyday".[24]

The TimeLarks

[edit]

In 2011, Martin and Tom began performing as part of the folk trio The TimeLarks[25] and appeared at the 2012 International Pop Overthrow festival at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. In 2016, they released two progressive acoustic folk albums, Wheel of Stone and Grain of Light.[26]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Young, Rob (2010). Electric Eden. London: Faber and Faber Ltd. p. 604. ISBN 978-0-571-23752-4.
  2. ^ a b "Profile of The Story". The Unbroken Circle. 31 January 2008. Archived from the original on 31 January 2008. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  3. ^ "Classic Artist Profile". The Unbroken Circle. 31 January 2008. Archived from the original on 31 January 2008. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  4. ^ "Citizens Arcane". Shindig!. 2: 32. May–June 2008.
  5. ^ "The Dawn Is Crowned Review". The Unbroken Circle. 3 February 2008. Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  6. ^ "The Story biography at". Sunbeam Records. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  7. ^ "Tale Spin review". Other Music. 11 May 2006. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  8. ^ "The Story Arcane Rising Review". Shindig!. 2: 59. May–June 2008.
  9. ^ "The Wicker Man video". Youtube. 28 June 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  10. ^ "Album Review", Uncut, November 2011
  11. ^ "Red Eye Distribution artist information". Red Eye Distribution. 27 September 2011. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  12. ^ Haag, Stephen. "Popmatters review". PopMatters. Archived from the original on 8 June 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  13. ^ "THE STORY UK – JOY RIDE ON MEMORY LANE". Terrascope. 26 April 1997. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  14. ^ "Joy Ride on Memory Lane Review". Shindig!. 4. 24 November 2011.
  15. ^ "John Barleycorn Reborn: Rebirth information". Cold Spring Records. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  16. ^ "The Story - UK psych band in conversation: 'The Whole Story' (2018)". Youtube. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  17. ^ Standing in the Rain video, Youtube
  18. ^ a b Mosurak, Doug. "the Story/Whysp The Dawn is Crowned split 12" LP". Dusted. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  19. ^ a b Coyle, Mark (December 2005). "The Story / Whysp - The Dawn in Crowned". The Unbroken Circle. Archived from the original on 3 February 2008. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  20. ^ Penczak, Jeff Review: The Story: Tale Spin. Retrieved 28 August 2012. Archived 21 January 2013 at archive.today
  21. ^ Van Waes, Gerald Review: The Story: Tale Spin, Psychedelic Folk. Retrieved 28 August 2012. Archived 23 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  22. ^ a b Haag, Stephen. "Review: The Story UK: Joy Ride on Memory Lane". PopMatters. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  23. ^ a b Curran, Pat (24 November 2011). "Review: Joy Ride on Memory Lane". Shindig!.
  24. ^ a b Young, Rob (November 2011). "Review: Album Review". Uncut: 102.
  25. ^ "TimeLarks profile". Facebook. 27 May 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  26. ^ "The TimeLarks discography". CD Baby. 1 December 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
[edit]
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