Quote The Raven – Map the Dark
This one gets off to a heavy musical start & sinks back with some splendid vocalizing. It’s folk-based like bands like Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span & Fotheringay, but this presentation is a little more lavish than traditional. Nice guitar diversity in a banquet of sound. And again, the most impressive bow on this gift is the diversity in the vocals courtesy of Newfoundlanders Jordan Croaker (guitar/acoustic guitar) & Kristen Rodden-Clarke. I find them excellent right out of the starting gate.
“Back In Spring” has the rural feel & the cranking Richard Thompson type guitar attack. And just when you think that’s it they come in Byrds-like with chiming guitars & exceptional vocals with “Oh Lena.” This is a box of varied chocolates. Tasty stuff with skill & technique.
There are 8 juicy tracks to their 4th album that inhabit Map the Dark (Drops April 23/Independent/31:07) with hardly a lame tune in its destinations. Ms. Rodden-Clarke’s voice is the flashlight on the coordinates – with an airy & satiny voice like Susan Osborn’s (on the Paul Winter Consort LP “Common Ground” & the track “Lay Down Your Burden”).
There are times Kristen goes deep as June Tabor, then springs up with a decorative Christine Collister tonality. Then, like on “Already Gone,” the addition of Jordan’s warm timbre simply makes a good song a fascinating performance. Produced by Chris Kirby with some songs produced individually by Cory Tetford (guitar/drums/bass/keys/piano) & Amelia Curran – their hands are all in with their respective expertise.
There are many excellent female singers who remind me of the quality of Kristen’s voice – the moments when she’s the late Christine McVie, Sandy Denny & even Judith Durham (The New Seekers). She has warmth in her tone; her intonation is imaginative & her range is fluent. It takes a special vocalist to impress one without showboating.
With songs like “Borrowed Time,” Kristen’s balladry is sung with reverence. Their repertoire is comprised of songs that explore seasonal depression, letting go of a relationship, a song that honors Jordan’s grandfather — all through rich storytelling, harmonies & lyrical poignancy.
There’s a secret 9th track that charmingly sounds like it was recorded at the turn-of-the-century (1920s). This duo has an interesting manner – good songs, wonderful voices & delivered with excellence by inspired musicians. Theirs has a sound luxuriance worth hearing & despite their group name Quote The Raven – they aren’t dark, mysterious or gothic. They’re evocative.
Highlights – “Back In Spring,” “Oh Lena,” “Already Gone,” “Borrowed Time,” & “One Bed.”
Musicians – Chris Kirby (guitars/keys/pads/mandolin), Geoff Arsenault & Daniel George (drums/percussion), Ronald Hynes & Clare Follet (bass), Joey Landreth (lead & additional guitars) & Natasha Blackwood (sax).
Color image courtesy of the duo’s Bandcamp site. CD @ Amazon & Bandcamp + https://www.quotetheravenofficial.com/