WEST Devon's folk star Seth Lakeman is celebrating, after his latest album blasted into the top ten album charts at number eight. Seth's album 'Poor Man's Heaven' was the only new entry in the top ten chart on Sunday, and is sandwiched between Amy Winehouse and Rihanna. Former Tavistock College student Seth, (pictured right) who was headlining a festival in Guildford when he heard the news, said he was 'stoked' and said record company EMI was equally thrilled, as they also have Coldplay in the number one spot. Seth is on the Relentless EMI label, the same as singers Joss Stone and KT Tunstall. Seth, 31, said he had been hoping for a top 20 listing, but was 'blown away' by the top ten success. Seth's parents, Geoff and Joy, who live in Buckland Monachorum, said they were 'worse for wear' after celebrating over the weekend. Geoff said: 'We opened the champagne in the Drake Manor pub and I expect there will be another celebration at Seth's local when he nips home this week. 'He did a storming set at Glastonbury, which probably helped his sales. And, as well as HMV and Zavvi, the album is selling at places like ASDA, Tesco and even Woolworths, including in Tavistock. HMV in Plymouth ran out of CDs and had to rush more in. 'He has been number three in the Amazon album chart and all four of his albums are in the Amazon World and Folk Music Top Ten at 1, 6, 8 and 9 — we can hardly believe it. 'But it's not all rock'n'roll, just darned hard work and dedication to his music.' Geoff said Seth was practically living on his tour bus at present, playing at or headlining about 30 festivals this summer. 'We hardly get to see him — just see him popping up on the telly, or blasting out over the radio,' said Geoff. Seth recorded the new album at a studio near Bude, run by the husband of Tori Amos, and at Airfield Studios at St Meryn, near Padstow. He launched the album last week with a charity gig in aid of the RNLI at a beach bar in Perranporth. A key song, 'Solomon Browne' commemorates the heroes of the Penlee lifeboat disaster in 1981. Seth first found fame with his 'Kitty Jay' album, written at his Yelverton cottage, which was nominated for the 2005 Mercury Music Award, alongside Cold Play, the Kaiser Chiefs and KT Tunstall.
