Maurice Hope – September 28, 2016 at 02:37PM
Tags:_AMERICANA
English singer-songwriter Seth Lakeman is a hugely dynamic recording act; his songs and innovative arrangements are like a high wattage halogen lamp in a small room. His latest recording, made in the Great Hall of a Jacobean Manor House has a beautiful vibe to it, and with famed producer Ethan Johns on duty and the stunning harmony vocals of Wildwood Kin (sisters Emille and Beth Key plus their cousin, Meghann Loney) to assist it ensures a fluid all round flows unabated throughout.
Seven of the songs are originals, three are traditional folk songs given a timely update. Plus he includes a cover of Levon Helm’s (The Band) “Anna Lee” and he fails to put a foot wrong, vocally or instrumentally (fiddle, viola and electric tenor guitar). Likewise goes for Johns with his ‘dirty’ electric guitar, mandolin and Hurdy Gurdy.
Bold, dramatic and incisive Lakeman holds the album together as he roams, pushes and tugs at, and sometimes plunders music’s boundaries in exhilarating fashion. Steeped in traditional values the verve of his playing captives from first to last.
When it comes to highlights as you expect it is difficult to pin them down due to the surfeit of riches. But in “Willow Tree” with its heavenly harmonies, and likewise beautiful “Stranger” that provides an elegance not heard every day you have two iconic tracks. While the title track “Ballads of The Broken Few” is more in your face, “Anna Lee” is measured, soulful and pristine. “Pulling Hard Against The Stream” is a 19th century moralistic song that comes complete with more rover instrumental work, and as with Lakeman’s own strident “Silence Reigns” and the less intense, pretty as they come “Meet Me In The Twilight” (even then it continues a mix of tender and pulsating as he nails his heart against the mast, on arguably his best composition) the standard never wavers. Apart from urging you to check out the album I would also suggest you should also try and see him live. Don’t be surprised if he doesn’t mop up with Ballads Of The Broken Few when it comes to the next British Folk and Mercury awards.
Maurice Hope
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