50p No. 88 Winter 2008/2009 - Devon Folk

Before the Ruin is a little more stripped down than
My Secret is my Silence, though is not in any way
under-produced. Many of the songs are led by
the sound of Drever’s acoustic guitar, and much
of the album is quite gentle, the kind of music
that you could curl up to. Largely missing, save
for the title track, is the electric guitar, That, in
itself, creates for a slightly more pure folk record,
if such a thing exists. The stripped down sound
allows for Woomble’s lyrics to penetrate and
become a prime focus. The blending of Woomble
and Drever’s earthly rich vocals are a joy to hear
and the harmonies are simple, but pitch-perfect.
Though the focus of the album is on the new
trio, it does feature help from an unusual band
of collaborators ranging from Cappercaillie
keyboardist, Donald Shaw, Heidi Talbot (vocals),
Teenage Fanclub members, Norman Blake
(vocals) and Francis MacDonald (drums / vocals)
and Radiohead’s drummer, Phil Selway, and
also Andy Cutting and Michael McGoldrick on
accordion and utes/whistles. This makes the
album sound more like the work of a group, rather
than a trio, and this helps to create a wonderfully
rich sound,that otherwise would have been lost.
3 years ago it would seem that some would
have found the rock star in Roddy to be an
unwelcome intrusion in the folk world but all that
is now forgotten. Roddy has effortlessly made the
transformation and not many artistes can claim
to achieve equal fortune in two distinctively
different musical genres, as he has done. Also
impressive is how the Idlewild rock fan base [and
that is huge!] have embraced Roddy’s solo career
wholeheartedly, newly seduced by the sounds
of folk music, a genre that many of them may
have previously assumed to be quite alienating
to them.
As for the future, it seems another folk supertrio
may have been born and, this collaboration
hopefully will not merely be a ash in the pan.
Certainly, with a tour already in progress, and
another scheduled for early next year, it would
seem that they mean business.
Martyn Cornelius
For more information see their website
www.drevermccuskerwoomble.com
FOOTLOOSE
BARN DANCE BAND
FOUR PIECE BAND
OWN CALLER
Mike & Shelagh 01647 433464
Trevor 01769 520595
SAILORS, DAUGHTERS , LADS AND
LOVERS
PAL CD003
Michelle Holding & J.P. Slidewell
Although I don’t think JP Slidewell has appeared
at any of the Devon folk clubs or festivals, I’ve
given a favourable review to a previous solo
album in What’s Afoot. This new CD offers a
promising new dimension, however, with a duo
whose talents complement each other very well,
and who deserve recognition in the South-West
far from their native Lancashire.
The album’s title is taken from four of the songs.
Opening with Dark Eyed Sailor, JP provides an
attractive guitar accompaiment to Michelle’s
measured, unaffected singing of this traditional
song. Annan Water, The Female Drummer, and
her own composition, Song for James, also
demonstrate the clear quality of her voice. JP
has a powerful delivery well suited to ballads like
the Reed Cutter’s Daughter and Little Musgrave,
though a gentler side can be seen in Ewan
McCall’s Trafford Road Ballad. Their publicity
yer mentions sweet harmonies, and though
there are some examples of the duo singing in
harmony, the emphasis on this album is on solo
voice, occasionally unaccompanied but usually
with well thought out guitar backing.
If the performance on the CD is anything to go
by, I’d look forward to seeing them in a live
performance. Certainly a duo to look out for.
Colin Andrews
Further details : holdingslidewell@hotmail.com
phone 07984 743294, or Palatine Music 01617
935441
45