Responses to ‘The Ancient Pull’

Review by Rachel Catlin, for Buxton Festival Fringe 2019:

"No stranger to the Fringe Festival, Paul Cromford returns with a collection of songs, accompanied by himself on guitar, driven by a childhood nostalgia for the 1960’s space race. The style in which Paul writes is an interesting mix of genres, showing the influence of artists such as Paul Simon and Bob Dylan with harmonies more reminiscent of 20th century neoclassical composers.

The beginning to this performance immediately indicates the mysterious and distant nature of the moon, emphasised with beautifully crunchy harmonies which transitions effectively into the next more traditional folk-rock song. There are some truly beautiful moments within this song set, a highlight of which is ‘Amethyst-Moonstone’, inspired by the 6th and 2nd chakras as Paul explains. Within the song the music transitions from A to D for the chorus, which really stands out as a musical highlight of the show. In addition it opens with a beautifully melancholic guitar introduction, which it would be lovely to hear featured more prominently and for longer.

One’s musical ears are peaked  [sic]  as various musical motifs and references to songs return throughout the show, which helps with the sense of nostalgia that has been woven into the innermost seams of the show. Paul makes interesting use of audio excerpts throughout his songs (first heard in ‘Dreaming Of a Way’), which he does with a certain wistfulness. However, this is interrupted in it’s infancy by the song ‘Sixpenny Cheese’ (a rather fun and clever song that definitely deserves it’s place in the song set), before then going on to use audio excerpts in the following two songs. If Paul were to change the order slightly and then use the audio excerpts as transitions from one piece to the next this could form a really powerful and possibly quite haunting trio of songs. These audio excerpts also feature in several more songs, both in the first and second half. Whilst this is definitely a talking point of the show I feel that as it stands they either need to be contained to a very small portion (of the show as it is a really well timed surprise when they are first heard) or be used as a narrative throughout and made a real feature of.

All in all, this show was a fascinating listen at the Fringe Festival this year, to which I hope Paul continues to return to."

'Leanne' of Buxton said in 2019:
"Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the performance last Saturday, a very moving and thought provoking set that you took us through on your journey.  Thank you & best wishes for the festival."

‘Alison’ of Buxton said in 2019:
“Just got in from this performance.  I wasn't sure to begin with, but a few songs in I was hooked, and entranced.  Paul took us on an historical journey, one which for many of us there brought back our own memories of the moon landing of 1969 and the incredible and powerful feelings it evoked.  The music was beautifully performed and the story wove its magical way through the music and lyrics.  Lovely.  Thank you.”

‘John and Julie’ of Castleton said in 2019:
“A really great performance.  Paul is an extremely talented musician and a gifted storyteller too.  Paul’s tribute to the moon is thought provoking and enchanting.  Can’t recommend it highly enough and would urge Fringe fans not to miss it.”

‘Will’ of Whaley Bridge (local musician) said in 2019:
“You've set the bar high… you bastard!”

‘Mr and Mrs X’ of Melton Mowbray said in 2024:
“I like the way it told the complete story of the Moon.”
“This needs to be heard by a lot more people.”

‘Trevor’ of Leek said in 2024:
“It needs to be recorded!”

‘C E’ of Cheadle said in 2024:
“…very strong songs…very poignant.”

‘D H’ of Macclesfield said in 2024:
“It was gorgeous.”

Various unidientified audience comments included:
“…we really enjoyed it.”
“I was latching onto the words.”