““Throughout the album, the lyrics have their heart in the right place””

““a pretty fine collection.......it's hard to fault it””

“how does the band manage other people's songs? The answer not bad, close enough to the original to pay homage, different enough to place their own mark.”

“John Riley (Revisited) is a fine example of how well the band interprets Fisher's original songs, a duet with a fine vocal courtesy of Lisa Lovatt, together with a touch of kalimba adding to the atmosphere. With informative sleeve notes, including helpful map coordinates, THE MERMAID'S POOL AND OTHER STORIES, is both well produced, well presented and well performed. Jimmy Webb's timeless Wichita Lineman is tucked away as a bonus track, reminding us once again what a fabulous song it is, even without Glen Campbell, the Wrecking Crew or indeed the sumptuous orchestrations; it's just a folk song after all.”

“Derbyshire-based folk quartet Raintown Seers present a new collection of songs, largely written by the band’s singer/guitarist Neil Fisher, with the exception of the traditional Bonny Ship the Diamond and Ewan MacColl's Champion at Keeping 'em Rolling, both of which are treated to fine arrangements here. Neil is joined by Steve Hyde, Lisa Lovatt and Dan Hall, who between them create the sort of folk music once popular in the 1960s with the likes of the Ian Campbell Folk Group, which is not a criticism. Unlike Ian Campbell and Co though, Raintown Seers venture into Folk Rock territory with such songs as Peter's Stone, with its extra boost courtesy of Danny Walsh's Rickenbacker bass, and I doubt Campbell would've dared reference Joy Division (The Last Boat), even if they'd been around in '65.”

““ACOUSTIC CONNECTIONS WITH RAINTOWN SEERS - Last year Raintown Seers played the Barrel Room in the cellars of The Old Hall Hotel and atmospheric though the venue was it did seem that the more generous space of the new Underground allowed the sound to open out, to relax somehow. The first half of this year’s show revisits some of the “Peak District” songs in their repertoire. Here Come the Brides tells of young British women who met American GIs during the war and then went to the States to marry - only to find that in some cases their man had not made it back. Overexposed also has an American/Second World War connection and is the song of the ghost of the pilot of B29 Superfortress that crashed in the Peaks in 1948. The Mermaid’s Pool draws on an early 19th century poem to tell of the danger to young men of a siren on Kinder Scout. (Visit the Green Man Galley and find Kate Aimson’s artwork of the same title). (see next below).”

“The mass trespass of Kinder Scout in 1932, eventually led to the right to roam and the creation of the National Parks. The song about it's leader, Benny Rothman - with its unusual arrangement - was one of the highlights of the set. Ewan MacColl did - of course - write The Manchester Rambler but it was two of his other songs that featured in the programme. Champion at Keeping Them Rolling is about the long distance lorry drivers in the days before motorways. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face is the most beautiful love song in the English language. The Seers finished up with an original protest song - The Last Boat which reflects on the collapse of the fishing industry in Great Yarmouth, a song that won a prize. An afternoon with the Raintown Seers (Lisa, Neil, Steve and Don) is very agreeable - sometimes their sound is almost too polished and easy on the ear given the nature of the stories that they are telling - but if modern folk-styled music is what you are looking for this”

“April Fool's Folk 01.04.17: Fabulous night on Saturday - you guys were awesome and had the ghosts in the machine begging for mercy. Love your music and all it stems from - Punk Monk David Gray (Salford City Radio)”

“Main guests at our February LIVE@THECENTRE event in Poynton were The Raintown Seers. Despite the late withdrawal of their bass player due to illness the band entertained us royally with an hour of beautifully crafted (and largely self-penned) songs many of which had a direct link to the north west and Derbyshire from which the band hail. Steve, Neil and Lisa’s harmonies were subtly blended with excellent musicianship, and much appreciated by our discerning audience.”

"Agreeably melodious and accessible original songs"

““Last night we had a wonderful band on the guest night at the Uttoxeter Folk & Blues Club - Raintown Seers. I would highly recommend them for your venue for the future, they are very smooth, with a relaxed feel that put the audience at ease. No pa or amps were needed and they kept the club captivated from Start to Finish. Simply wonderful” Mike Club event coordinator Uttoxeter Folk & Blues Club, 20/02/16”

“Enjoy the professional approach of Raintown Seers - contemporary folk with a Derbyshire twist. A wide repertoire thoughtfully put together with their audience in mind.”

"their album is quite excellent"

“Just found time to listen to the CD. Brilliant! Blew me away. Thanks again Neil, Lisa and Steve you lovely people.”

“Thank you so much to Raintown Seers Band for a memorable concert which left lasting memories of beautifully performed songs with skill and passion Thanks so much for everything guys!”

“Eight tracks, one trad - The Blue Cockade - one cover - the incomparable Gillian Welch’s Wichita - and six originals from the pen of Neil Fisher (vocals, Guitar, mandolin) The remaining Seers are Lisa Lovatt (vocals, shruti) and Steve Hyde (mandolin, mandola, banjo, melodeon, concertina and vocals). Neil writes a good song - anyone who can integrate “connotations” seamlessly into a rhyme scheme (Peter’s Stone) deserves serious consideration - and I also enjoyed Here Come The Brides (fine tune, unsentimental lyrics about WW2 GI Brides) and Benny Rothman (Kinder mass trespass). The aforementioned cover of Wichita is the standout track, simply done, if not quite as as starkly as the original, with effective harmonies. Singing, musicianship, production etc are all above par. Well worth a listen or three! Ian Spafford - Stirrings, Issue 159”

“RAINTOWN SEERS AT CROOKES FC “Raintown Seers gave Crookes Folk Club a splendid evening of music, ranging from the traditional, through the songs of Ewan MacColl and Gillian Welch to their own self-penned material. The combination of Lisa's vocals, Steve's Mandolin & Melodeon and Neil's songwriting are spot-on - we'll be having them back.””