We wanted to explore music from closer to home
T
his award-winning a predominantly English thread
four-piece is one of running through this album.”
the most exciting and
But testament to their burgeoning
promising bands on the
knowledge, they’ve managed
To The Ground
UK folk scene.
to avoid the obvious standards
Rootbeat Records
RBRCD006
Discovering Kerfuffle
and delved deep to deliver less
at Fairport’s Cropredy
familiar fare. There’s greater
Convention 2007
unity evident than on the band’s
was a revelation.
previous releases and almost a ‘concept album’ feel, with dark
Their exuberance,
and joyous themes handled with equal satisfaction to create a
accomplished playing
cohesive album from start to finish.
and obvious, knowledgeable passion for folk music won the
Musically, the album is underpinned by supple-and-strong
crowd, despite their new-comer billing. Hannah James singing
rhythms from Tom Sweeney, his powerful bass guitar lines are
the Pentangle classic Light Flight really caught the collective
extremely effective. Sam Sweeney (also in Bellowhead’s ranks)
ear. Her skilful phrasing, echoing a young Jacqui McShee, but
is a technical wiz on fiddle and shines particularly brightly,
retaining a unique, signature style set off rippling murmurs
especially on the instrumentals Rondo and The Trip. Recent
FOLK
of approval. As the set progressed, their firm grasp on the
recruit Jamie Roberts (a graduate of the Leeds College of Music)
traditions combined with youthful energy, creating a vibe
brings an edgy guitar sound, creating strong couterpoint. “Jamie
reminiscent of the glory days of the 60s’ folk revival and the
has brought a whole new style into the band,” Sam confirms,
festival’s venerable hosts in their youthful heyday.
“and that’s given us new energy.” And over it all soars Hannah
The four members – Hannah, bothers Sam and Tom Sweeney,
James’ pure and vibrant voice. This new album shows off the
and Jamie Roberts – all began playing in their early teens and
whole group’s dynamic vocal range too. Take, for example, the
their musicality and sophistication has grown exponentially over
song Arise Arise, the rich harmonies conjure Steeleye Span’s
four albums, with the latest release, To The Ground, hitting a
supreme vocal strength.
new musical peak. Featuring mostly traditional English material,
Kerfuffle’s reputation as a live act is assured and the band
the choice of songs is thoughtful, and the treatments and
have delivered a smart, new album, brim full of originality and
arrangements are refreshing and distinctive. Hannah explains“,
superb musicianship. To The Ground is on a par with the best
“We wanted to explore music from closer to home so there is
of the best. Andy Farquarson
Ralph mctell
A CD, an autobiography and a
DVD this autumn
A
release from Ralph McTell observation provide a fascinating glimpse of working class life
is always newsworthy and this between VE Day and The Beatles. It offers intriguing insights
autumn sees a welcome burst of into the stories behind many of his songs and is a richly
creativity from Britain’s best-loved rewarding read, not only for McTell fans, but for any reader
singer-songwriter. It is not often that interested in Britain’s recent social history.
any artist puts out three products
As a songwriter and musician, he is working in a more familiar
simultaneously in three different
environment on the complementary three-CD set. Five years
media but that is exactly what
in the making, the set features McTell reading extracts from his
McTell has done with a concert DVD,
autobiography interspersed with songs. The readings and songs
a book and a triple CD.
have been carefully chosen to illustrate how much of McTell’s
McTell On The Mall is a full-length life is reflected in his songwriting. In a wide ranging journey
DVD featuring highlights from three through his extensive repertoire, over a dozen songs have
concerts performed on consecutive been specially re-recorded for this triple CD together with three
evenings at London’s prestigious brand new compositions.
Institute Of Contemporary Arts
“Recording the songs anew was a discovery for me,”
in Pall Mall. The videotapes were
says McTell. “Several are nearly forty years old and I
believed lost, but have recently
seldom sing them these days. It was
resurfaced and both footage and
like meeting an old friend you haven’t
soundtrack have been painstakingly
seen for years – still young, the future
mastered to paint a vivid portrait of
still uncertain.”
McTell at his spellbinding best.
Consummate production and
As Far As I Can Tell is the title of both a book and a triple
mastering by Martin Bell ensures a
CD, the culmination of a major project by McTell. Originally
satisfying cohesion between words
published in two hardback volumes, McTell’s autobiography is
and music, a unity of the spoken and
now available in paperback with additional chapters illustrated
the sung. The mix of re-recordings,
by photos from the McTell family album.
readings and rarities make As Far As
Much more than a run-of-the-mill rock star biog – anyone I Can Tell a veritable treasure trove to
expecting an exposé of 1970s excess will be disappointed return to again and again.
As Far As I Can Tell
Leola Music
- rather, McTell’s sharp recall of his early life and his keen
Andy Farquarson
TPGCD8
4 Properganda 0
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41