Narthen

CD No Masters 2018 - NMCD52

Narthen's debut album is something memorable and moving. Beautiful is Peter Bond's song "It Haunts Me Still", featuring a four-part harmonic song a cappella. Songs like "Morning Come, Maria Gone" and the heartbreaking interpretation of Heart Like A Wheel combine vocals with a very measured instrumental accompaniment. Both are compositions from the American tradition, the first appeared for the first time in 1955 in Jean Richie's book "Singing family of the Cumberlands" while the second is inspired by the version that Kate and Anna McGarrigle released on their 1975 album. Among these songs are purely instrumental tracks, such as “Galician Tunes”, a Spanish melody already known in the version of Milladoiro. The album contains traditional songs, such as “Acre Of Land”, but also songs written by the band members such as “The VADs” by Lester Simpson and “Devil's Porridge” by Jo Freya, a very delicate and emotional composition. Also included are songs written by contemporary songwriters, for example, Ray Hearne's “Pudding Burner”, a celebration of crane women working in a predominantly male environment. Very nice cover photo by Elly Lucas.

L'album di debutto dei Narthen è qualcosa di memorabile e commovente. Bella la canzone di Peter Bond “It Haunts Me Still”, caratterizzata da un canto armonico in quattro parti a cappella mentre brani come “Morning Come, Maria Gone” e la straziante interpretazione di Heart Like A Wheel combinano la voce con un accompagnamento strumentale molto misurato. Entrambe sono composizioni provenienti dalla tradizione americana, la prima è apparsa per la prima volta nel 1955 nel libro di Jean Richie “Singing family of the Cumberlands” mente la seconda è ispirata alla versione che Kate e Anna McGarrigle hanno pubblicato nel loro album del 1975. Tra queste canzoni vi sono tracce puramente strumentali, come “Galician Tunes”, una melodia spagnola già nota nella versione dei Milladoiro. L'album contiene brani tradizionali, come “Acre Of Land”, ma anche canzoni scritte dai membri della band come “The VADs” di Lester Simpson e “Devil's Porridge” di Jo Freya, composizione delicatissima ed emozionante. Ci sono poi canzoni scritte da cantautori contemporanei, ad esempio, “Pudding Burner” di Ray Hearne, una celebrazione delle donne gruiste che lavorano in un ambiente prevalentemente maschile. Molto bella la fotografia di copertina di Elly Lucas. 

Tracks:
1. Henry My Son (Roud 10; Child 12; G/D 2:209; Henry H814) (3.35) – 2. The Rifles (Roud 587) (4.00) – 3. Galician Tunes: Auga des Bailadeiras / Montañesa de Liga / Muiñiera (5.16) – 4. It Haunts Me Still (2.45) – 5. Morning Come, Maria Gone (Roud 3625) (4.21) – 6. The VADs (3.31) – 7. Pudding Burner (3.23) – 8. Once in a While (4.24) – 9. Gungar / Norsk Schottis (4.40) – 10. Heart Like a Wheel (4.50) – 11. Devil's Porridge / Bourée in D minor (3.12) – 12. An Acre of Land (Roud 21093; TYG 23) (2.37) – 13. Next Person Through My Door (3.53) – 14. Cold Blow These Winter Winds (5.01) 

Musicians: 
Barry Coope, vocals, keyboards, cajon; Fi Fraser, vocals, fiddle, hammered dulcomer; Jo Freya, vocals, saxophones, whistles; Lester Simpson, vocals, diatonic accordions, ukulele, egg with Jude Abbott, vocals, brass; Jo May, spoons, balafon, Renaissance drum, other percussion