1) From www.foxydigitalis.com (by Jeff Penczak)

A collection of predominantly traditional tunes. the fuller instrumentation and angelic harmonies should guarantee this release a wide audience. Firing on all cylinders, the opening (title) track lays the groundwork for the album that follows by featuring Bidwell's distinctive flutework - he's a veritable Pied Piper leading our strolling minstrels (particularly Sandy and Coging's double-banjo attack weaving around Walton's hammered dulcimer) through the paces. It's a wonderful introduction. The band's marvellous four-part harmonies highlight "Railroad Boy," and if the upbeat "Soldier's Joy/Arkansas Traveller" doesn't make you want to jump up and dance a jolly jig, then your nerves are shot and there's just no good times left in ya. The remainder of the album, including a rousing, singalong rendition of "The Cuckoo," Bidwell's flute solo showcase "Sally In The Garden" and a re-recording of Wizz's own "When I Leave Berlin " is of the same consistently high quality. A rare treat and a miraculous resurrection of an essential album in the annals of British folk and my favourite release in Sunbeam's reissue series so far.

2) From www.allmusic.com (by Richie Unterberger)

Lazy Farmer's sole, rare album is solid and full-bodied (if conventional and unremarkable) British folk, with a repertoire heavily grounded in traditional tunes. Indeed, eight of the 12 tracks on Lazy Farmer are traditional in origin, while another, "The Cuckoo," is not exactly uncommon to the English-speaking folk world. With a quintet featuring four vocalists, two five-string banjo players, and two multi-instrumentalists in John Bidwell (flute, flageolet, guitar) and Jake Walton (dulcimer, hurdy-gurdy, guitar), the band has a richer, deeper sound than many British groups with a similar style. Collectors might be most attracted to this by the presence of noted U.K. folk figure Wizz Jones , though he wrote just one of the cuts, the wistful "When I Leave Berlin," which is one of the set's highlights. The cover of Ralph McTell 's "Standing Down in New York Town" makes one wish they'd put more contemporary songs onto the album; the only other non-trad item is Derroll Adams ' "Love Song," an especially melancholy rumination that benefits from some very nice vocal harmonies and trade-offs. The 2005 CD reissue on Sunbeam adds comprehensive historical liner notes.

3) From www.lefthip.com (by Gordon B. Isnor )

I flew to Montreal a few days ago and a new friend asked me the best record I've heard this year. I scratched my head for a seconds - there's so much good stuff coming out! - and replied, "Lazy Farmer?" Her reply of course was, "Who?" Who indeed.... Lazy Farmer was a mid 70's British folk project from Banjoland -mastermind Clive Palmer and friends Wizz Jones, John Bidwell, Dan Coging and Jake Walton. The album features vocals, guitars, banjos, flute, dulcimer and hurdy-gurdy. Languishing in obscurity until now, Lazy Farmer's sole release has now been released by the extraordinary reissue and psyche-folk specialist label Sunbeam - think of them as the British version of Sundazed and you'll get an idea of the treasure trove of lost gems they're unearthing.

Songs vary from banjo-fuelled bluegrass numbers like "Soldier's Joy/Arkansas Traveller" to the gentle sixties folk sound of "Standing Down In New York Town" and a slew of marvelous takes on traditionals such as Gipsy Davey, Turtle Dove, Johnson Boys and The Cuckoo. One of the highest points - and there are many - is the spirited early music sound of the instrumental, "Sally In The Garden/Clarence Ashley". This will have instant appeal to fans of traditional folk balladeering and will also be of interest to the looser end of early music in the style of Baltimore Consort. Driving yet soothing, superb musicianship, a rollicking good time and truly a lost classic. Very highly recommended.

4) From Shindig ( www.shindig-magazine.com ) Wizz Jones crops up again as one fifth of Lazy Farmer, whose rare as rocking horse poop, recorded in a German barn, self-titled 1975 album is a true and delightful surprise. Comprised of largely traditional folk titles, with a couple of originals and one beautiful tune donated by their friend Ralph McTell, Lazy Farmer serve up a rich stew of guitars, banjos, flutes, dulcimers, warm vocal harmonies (and even a hurdy gurdy) that demands repeated listens and grows on you like magic musical moss.

5) From Record Collector magazine (June 2006)

You can distil English-style folk guitar playing to four guitarists. Davy Graham revolutionised English guitar. Then, in close cascade, came Wizz Jones, Martin Carthy and Bert Jansch. Wizz Jones wrote the folk-blues stylebook. this album featured him and is a low-key gem, vital in the development of Cornwall 's beat-folk scene.