CD Review: Pigs Might Fly By Railroad Bill

Recent television documentaries have reminded us that the raw twanging tea chest bass of Skiffle was right at the heart of the birth of the British popular music scene in the mid 1950s. 60 years on, and skiffle is still going strong thanks to Cardiff's Railroad Bill. Seasoned musicians themselves, the band have been together some 30 years and were even described as "Bloody Good" by the original King of Skiffle, the late Lonnie Donegan.

Their latest release on CountryMile Records, Pigs Might Fly proves King Lonnie was right on the mark, hanging on to their skiffle roots, Railroad Bill bring the skiffle genre firmly into the 21st century, with shades of classic rock n roll and raucious punk thrown in for good measure. There are some fabulous stand outs from the bluesy Obstinate Child to the rock n roll of Selfish Jean performed with more than a nod to early Elvis!

Pigs Might Fly displays the versatility of Railroad Bill and even allows a few friends in on the journey too including welsh singer/songwriter Kizzy Crawford who gives a fabulous vocal on What You Need.

For a sneak peek of Railroad Bill, catch them taking part in the new BBC Four documentary series UK's Best Part-Time Band at 9pm this evening.

• Order Pigs Might Fly by Railroad Bill online
• A version of this review by Andy Howells appears in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on June 3, 2016