My Favourite Albums of 2015

Having earlier listed some of my favourite albums of the year, it is now time to reveal my own personal top three.

At number 3 spot is 'Hand. Cannot. Erase' by Steven Wilson a double concept album that deals with the 2006 discovery of the body of 38 year old Joyce Carol Vincent. It is a shocking and heartbreaking story, but Wilson deals with the subject of Vincent's life in a sensitive way and the songs are by turns, dramatic and spellbindingly beautiful. The contrasts between the light and dark aspects of the story are brilliantly recreated through Wilson's compositions making this album one of his strongest yet. 
I am very much looking forward to seeing live performances of this material when Wilson visits these part next month.

My second favourite album of the year is 'Primrose Green' by Ryley Walker. As I said when I originally wrote about this album in May, it is impossible to hear the album without thinking of John Martyn, Bert Jansch, Van Morrison and Tim Buckley - yet Walker proves through his songwriting, guitar playing and singing that he is a major talent in his own right. Also credit must go to the wonderful musicians who ably support him on this album. 
I am also looking forward to seeing him perform live accompanied by renowned bassist Danny Thompson, in February next year.

Finally we come to my absolute favourite album of the year. And no, I have not been influenced by the fact that the Unthanks just happen to come from my part of the world - the north east of England. The majestic album 'Mount the Air' just happens to be, in my opinion, the best thing I have listened to this year. I was also fortunate enough to see them perform live on two occasions and those experiences confirmed my view that the Unthanks are a major talent and will very soon gain the kind of recognition they so thoroughly deserve. 
The title song is itself worth the price of the album. Based upon a traditional piece which in 1958 found it's way into the Dorset Book of Folk Songs, the band have cleverly introduced elements of Miles Davis' 1958 album 'Sketches of Spain' and produced a piece of music which at 10 minutes in length, still feels too short.
For your enjoyment, here is a link to that very track. Enjoy!
'Mount The Air'

The Unthanks at Hexham Abbey

In my last post I spoke of purchasing two vinyl records as a callow 17 year old while working at a country hotel during school holidays. Those records were bought in the historic Northumbrian market town of Hexham which nestles in the Tyne Valley 25 miles west of Newcastle. On that occasion I recall visiting Hexham Abbey which stands on a site that has been a place of worship since the 7th century, though the current building dates from about 1170. I recall being particularly struck by the atmosphere of the place, especially down in the candlelit 7th century Saxon crypt. The experience made an impression on me and Hexham is a town I have returned to fairly frequently ever since, rarely missing an opportunity to revisit the abbey.

I returned last night on a very wild, stormy night and seated on a pew adjacent to the ancient stone steps leading down into the crypt, the sound of the wind outside only added to the atmosphere. It was a perfect setting and no doubt this was one of the reasons why the venue was chosen to host part of the Unthanks 10th anniversary tour. After all, they are Northumbrian girls and know the location very well.

I attended one of two candlelit shows performed by the full 10 piece band last night and whereas the show I attended in Newcastle City Hall in February had focused on the current album, 'Mount The Air', this anniversary show spanned the band's full career. 

It began with just sisters Rachel and Becky on stage singing older material such as Cyril Tawney's 'On a Monday Morning' and 'I Wish I Wish' from 'The Bairns' album. Gradually they were joined on stage by the other band members and the first hint of the latest album came in the form of a stripped down performance of the title track. It was a beautiful rendition but all too short.

We were then taken through more of their repertoire which included wonderful covers of King Crimson's 'Starless' and Elvis Costello's poignant 'Shipbuilding'. From the current album they performed 'Madam' and 'Flutter' before ending their main set with a complete version of the wonderful 'Mount The Air'. Finally as an encore they performed the north-east press-gang ballad, 'Here's the Tender Coming' which had been the title track of their third album in 2009. Throughout the whole performance, the flickering candles and clever use of lighting added to the unique atmosphere of the place.

As we left to brave the elements outside, I reflected that as well as singing beautiful harmonies, the sisters had entertained us with some rather fine Northumbrian clog dancing. I was immediately reminded of the last gig I attended when I witnessed Nils Lofgren and Greg Varlotta tap dancing during 'I Came To Dance'.

I wondered, could I be setting something of a trend here?

I'm next scheduled to see Steven Wilson in January. I'm not expecting him to don clogs or tap shoes, but you never know do you?

 

Easter on BBC Radio 6 Music

Following the DJ debut of Colin Meloy, front man of the Decemberists on Good Friday, the Easter festivities continue on BBC Radio 6 Music this evening (Easter Monday) with a full program presented by the Unthanks.

Having raided the BBC archives for live sessions and concerts, the band will be presenting music from among others, Antony & The Johnsons, Portishead, Robert Wyatt and the Watersons. They have also delved into their own music collection so we can expect to hear stuff from Louis Armstrong, Eliza Carthy and PJ Harvey. There will also be a re-broadcast of 'Soup Songs' a documentary on the unconventional life and career of Robert Wyatt.

The Program beginning at 7.00 PM (BST) and lasting two hours sounds totally wonderful. The thing is I am abroad at the moment so may not be able to catch it.

Mental note made to self to hear it on catch up once I return to the UK.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/306BFVp9NpyqTJ6cz06mLqv/easter-monday-with-the-unthanks

Oh I should also add that the show will be followed by a repeat broadcast of a live session the Unthanks recorded for the BBC in February this year.

The Unthanks at Newcastle City Hall

On Saturday evening I paid an all too rare visit to Newcastle City Hall. As I attended many of my first concerts at that venue, it was something of a homecoming for me, as it was indeed for the Newcastle based folk band, The Unthanks.

If the name is unfamiliar to you, then perhaps you have an aversion to folky type music sung in a northern dialect. If so, may I suggest you give a listen to the wonderful new album 'Mount The Air'. Also a flick through various press reports and internet sites will reveal that among The Unthanks legions of followers are, Ryan Adams, Martin Freeman, Elvis Costello, Colin Firth, Robert Wyatt, Nick Hornby, Ade Edmondson and members of Radiohead. A pretty diverse collection I think you will agree.

The support act who opened both parts of the show were a Stockton-on-Tees based trio who call themselves the Young'uns. I first caught them live exactly two years ago when they ably supported Anais Mitchell and Jefferson Hamer. On this occasion they performed all of their songs unaccompanied and totally captivated the audience with their vocal harmonies and their witty in between song chatter.


The Unthank sisters, Rachel and Becky eventually took centre stage and were surrounded by a very capable bunch of backing musicians. Strangely in these times, with the exception of the electric bass, there was not a guitar to be seen. Instead, the band weave their magic with drums, piano, harmonium, a string quartet and a young lady who performed wonders on trumpet and flugelhorn. Focusing mainly on the current album, they ended the first set with the absolutely awesome 10 minute title track. I have always loved the acoustics of the City Hall and it was a perfect setting to replicate the wonderful sound the band achieve on this superb album.


The second set was a little more eclectic featuring songs by Antony Hegerty, Robert Wyatt and ending with a great version of King Crimson's 'Starless' before the band returned to encore with a reprise of the end section of 'Mount The Air'.


If I have one complaint about the performance, it concerned the amount of chatter. While it was always engaging and allowed the natural personality of the girls to come across, it also affected the overall flow of the songs and in my view, interrupted the dramatic effect of their wonderful music. However, that is merely a small personal viewpoint. 


Clearly the girls were overawed at this homecoming reception. This was their first performance at the City Hall. I hope it will not be their last.

The Unthanks - Mount The Air

If you have read this blog before, you will probably be aware that musically I tend to be drawn to artists who are inclined to push the boundaries of their chosen genre. Hence my liking for Miles Davis, Captain Beefheart, Bjork, Frank Zappa, Can, Robert Wyatt and more recently, These New Puritans.

Which brings me rather nicely to The Unthanks of whom it has been claimed "regard folk music in the way Miles Davis regarded jazz; as a launch pad for exploring the wider possibilities." This concept truly appears to have reached fruition with their latest album, 'Mount the Air'.

I first heard this album before heading off to see the Decemberists in Leeds at the weekend. By rights I should have been listening to the Decemberists on my return journey from Yorkshire. Instead I found myself repeatedly playing this rather wonderful album.


In case you are unaware, The Unthanks hail from my own part of the world -  Tyneside. Augmented by other musicians, they are a pair of sisters, Rachel and Becky Unthank who are the daughters of a certain George Unthank who folk purists may remember as a singer with the Northumberland folk group, the Keelers. They initially recorded as Rachel Unthank & The Winterset but changed their name in 2009. Since then they have produced a couple of studio albums plus a trilogy of 'Diversions' which featured music by Antony & The Johnsons and Robert Wyatt as well as songs inspired by and dedicated to the shipyards of this region. Their interpretation of the songs of Antony Hegarty and in particular Robert Wyatt, certainly met with my approval.

Clearly they have taken all of these influences and brought them to fruition with this latest album.

I earlier mentioned pushing boundaries and they certainly do that with the 10 minute title track which opens the album. Appearing to take influences from Miles Davis's 'Sketches of Spain' the piece is almost symphonic in its arrangement. I suspect that much of the credit for this has to go to Rachel's husband Adrian McNally whose work on piano dominates this album. Yet the sisters come into their own when harmonising together such as on the track 'Magpie' in which their voices weave around a single drone. It is mesmerising stuff.

Elsewhere on the album, the band rework The Beatles 'Golden Slumbers' into a song of their own, 'Last Lullaby'. Not many acts can get away with that but the Unthanks create something totally new and original. 

In truth there are just too many high spots on this album for me to mention them all here. There are I suspect some who will criticise the local 'Geordie' dialect used or the fact that the album is quite long. Suffice to say that neither of these things concerns me one bit. In fact, to my mind, the album could be even longer still and I'm usually of the view that records should be no longer than 45 minutes. My opinions may eventually change but for now this album will continue to dominate my listening time. And I have also secured tickets to see them perform the album live at Newcastle City Hall next month. I can't wait.

http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/13/unthanks-mount-the-air-album-you-should-hear-video