West of Eden – Lighthousekeeping
This disciplined 3-decade-old band is on the family tree of bands like Pentangle, Fairport Convention, Curved Air, Fotheringay, Horslips, Lindisfarne & closer to what’s happening today – Great Big Sea, Oysterband, Spirit of the West, Lick the Tins – in the melodic & skillful arenas. The first song enters as a wonderfully narrated & arranged “Sir Patrick Spens,” — decorated with elegant Celtic instrumentation & an infectious melody woven with strands of harmonic vocals. The storytelling’s engaging; the voices are textured. This superb Swedish band has arteries that lead to Ireland, Scotland & Appalachia. They are accomplished & melodically well-charged.
There are 12 explorations of durable tales that are like page turners in an old book for Lighthousekeeping (Drops April 24/West of Music/47:12) produced by Martin Schuab (lead & backing vocals/acoustic guitar/cittern/mandolin/piano/keys/additional accordion//handclaps) with West of Eden & recorded at a lighthouse keeper’s house. Track 2 is “Song from Molom/Cooley’s Reel,” & it’s a beautifully indulgent tune sung in an angelic tone by Jenny Schuab (accordion/tin whistle/lead & bgv).
While not all songs will grip the ear like those of June Tabor, Sandy Denny, Christine Collister or Judy Collins, the material is serene & delicate, with a vintage tint that’s well-crafted & maintained through their meticulous playing. Despite the traditional styles, many of the songs stand out as mainstream efforts – “P Stands For Paddy” is that kind of tune. Catchy, with wonderful swipes of fiddle, inventive drums & instrumental interplay. Jenny’s vocals are consistently articulate, at times mindful of Renaissance’s Annie Haslam, Jane Relf & even October Project’s Mary Fahl. Jenny doesn’t try for the showboating notes; her silky voice hits notes with gentle clarity with a convincing, impressive range & can be duly compared to the early, early Marianne Faithfull of the ‘60s (“Wild Mountain Thyme”) or The Seekers’ Judith Durham. Jenny has a heavenly voice, but not an ethereal one like Enya, etc. Hers suits the traditional folky idiom perfectly.
“Pound a Week Rise” piles on banjo picking with finesse & the percussion is integrated nicely. The most accessible tune. More mainstream. A convincing, ambitious, & dignified musical presence.
Highlights – “Sir Patrick Spens,” “Song from Molom/Cooley’s Reel,” “Is ar Eireann ni Nfheosfainn ce hi,” “P Stands For Paddy,” “Pound a Week Rise,” “Paddy’s Lamentation,” “Si Bheag, Si Mhor” & “Little Ball of Yarn.”
Musicians – Lars Broman (fiddle/bgv), Henning Sernhede (lead/bgv/electric & acoustic guitars/banjo/mandolin/lap steel/hand claps), Martin Deubler Holmlund (electric & double bass/bgv), Ola Karlevo (drums/Bodhran/percussion/bgv) with John McCusker (fiddle/low whistle/bgv), Michael McGoldrick (Uilleann Pipes/whistles), Hans Olsson (handclaps/bgv) & Stina Klintbom, Joel Carlberg & Alice Schhaub (choir).
Color image courtesy of Hemifran. Outdoor image courtesy of Anders Johansson. CD@ https://westofeden.com/ & https://www.hemifran.com/artist/West%20Of%20Eden/