NORTHUMBERLAND group The Unthanks return with their first album in four years.
Based on the themes of a one-verse traditional song from a book of tunes from Dorset, the album is written by pianist, producer and husband of singer Rachel Unthank, Adrian McNally.
It opens with the title track, a song of rare beauty that builds and builds throughout its ten-and-a-half-minute duration and continues to beguile during the remaining ten songs.
The distinctive North-East vocals of Rachel and her sister Becky are capable of bringing a smile to the face or tear to the eye – authentic with heartfelt delivery they are, outside of the world of folk, one of music’s best kept secrets.
Recorded in their own makeshift studio in an old granary building and released on their own RabbleRouser label, it is defiantly individual and wonderfully personal.
The Unthanks play Newcastle City Hall on March 14 and Middlesbrough Town Hall on March 19.
Matt Westcott
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here