The 10 original songs, written during 2007, capture tales of small town frustrations, hard fought triumphs and a constant need to be moving partly inspired by the motorway that carves through the centre of their hometown, Glasgow. The album was recorded with producer Malcolm Lindsay (Willard Grant Conspiracy, The Delgados) after they were invited by Robert Fisher to perform on the new, critically-acclaimed Willard Grant Conspiracy album Pilgrim Road.
There you have the low-down on a great new release from this UK duo that has just “hit the streets” this week entitled “How’ve You Been (all this time)?”. And yes, that is the correct spelling! This is a more classic folk album and I think some of you may need to be in the mood for this style of music – one that might not hit the “top of the charts” at the indie clubs. This is great classic folk. The kind of music that has been described as “nu folk, alt-folk or even folkicana“. This duo are Iona Macdonald & Paul Tasker and they are delivering this bluesy orchestral-acoustic soundtrack. Macdonald’s vocals, while possibly not “formally” trained (don’t think of this as an insult, her voice is right for the backing, not Operatic) fit great with the earthy guitar of Tasker and both are joined on this album by symphonic piano accents and a fantastic string section. The comparisons for the sound offered include Gillian Welch meets Fairport Convention….just might work.
This is a stand alone gorgeous album – highly recommended from Slowcoustic HQ. Some samples below to enjoy.
Doghouse Roses
“Pilgrims Tale” (mp3)
from “How’ve You Been (all this time)?”
(Yellowroom Music)
“Stalling” (mp3)
from “How’ve You Been (all this time)?”
(Yellowroom Music)
“Happiness” (mp3)
from “How’ve You Been (all this time)?”
(Yellowroom Music)
Hit them up on their Website or their MySpace Page. Now to head out to get the two previous EPs….
~Smansmith