We Know Where The Time Goes by The FLK

Introduction

I really haven't a clue how I can describe this record even though it's a permanent fixture on my phone and today it has been played at least four times by me today while I work, and I am listening to it once more as I write this piece.

The FLK are the KLF and they do have a Facebook page which surprised me but you can explore it here.

The KLF have had many aliases so one more is no surprise. I am going to spend a lot of this article saying I am not sure or I don't know.

I have included the Youtube recording of the whole album. If you cannot see it I will attempt to find another copy, or download one and upload it and you can hopefully hear it then.

The FLK:

"In the footsteps of the great folk song collectors, we scoured the land, collecting the songs of the people, recording them and compiling them and cutting them into small pieces before rearranging them.

Who knows where the time goes? We do. It took us 19 years to make this album, because we hadn't spoken to each other in a very long time.

The album raises questions about who owns these English folk songs. Traditional songs, anonymous songs, handed down over generations... then claimed, copyrighted and exploited. Are they the songs of the people or the songs of the few?"

Originally released on CD back in 2011, 'We Know Where The Time Goes' promptly sold out and was immediately deleted. Over the years it has become something of a cult item."

So

We Know Where The Time Goes

Taking the title from the Sandy Denny / Fairport Convention beauty "Who Knows Where The Time Goes" (Check out my "Immortals" story to hear it), Bill Drummond says

"Folk music began to die the day the first record was released"

With the help of Mike Harding, Steeleye Span and a whole team of others the KLF (Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty) put together a work of beauty that entertains and educates.

The mix comes in with a thunderstorm, then a wax cylinder recording morphing into Steeleye Span's "All Around My Hat". Then we hear Mike Harding telling us about the nature of folk music.

If I know the FLK / KLF they will probably have ensured that this recording is available to all.

You get to hear so many snippets of songs that you then want to find out more about them.

Terry Wogan has just made an appearance with "Floral Dance" followed by a Morris tune that runs into a version of "Hal-An-Tow".

On the inside album cover are the following statements.

THE FLK: WE KNOW WHERE THE TIME GOES: VOLUME ONE

TRAD:ARR

WHY COWS?

"WE STOLE THE SONGS - THIS IS NOT A REVIVAL - THIS IS A REVOLUTION"

At this stage, Steeleye Span's "Gaudete" is set to a folk/techno beat.

One thing I have noticed when I listen to this, time seems to pass very quickly which is excellent when you are working.

Other songs that make fleeting appearances are "Scarborough Fair" by Simon and Garfunkel (though they took the arrangement from Martin Carthy), Ralph McTell's "Streets of London", Nic Jones' "Canadee-I-O" and Queen's "Brighton Rock" metal guitar intro towards the end.

Although it is thirty five minutes long it just doesn't seem that long. Maybe it's all the short samples, samples but the disc has just come to a halt for the fifth time today.

The KLF are the band that burned a million quid and if you want to know more then check below, but if you can , give this a listen, you may be enlightened.