CD.Reviews
Sweet Nightingale    Revisited    Gown of Green    Morning Tempest

Revisited WBCD 003

As a fairly new member of The Threlfall Appreciation Society, I found this release to be particularly welcome. As the title suggests, it revisits material from the sisters' first two albums Morning Tempest (2000) and Gown of Green (2002), albeit with different arrangements, reflecting the way 'performance inevitably changes over time'. On first glance, there's few surprises here; most tracks being what a lazy reviewer might call 'standards'. Jane and Amanda, however, have found some interesting variants of lyrics, such as 'The Blacksmith', which lift the songs way above the pedestrian.

Alongside the lyrical variations, the interplay between guitar, bouzouki, mandola and fiddle provides some excellent rhythmic interpretations. 'Claudy Banks', 'Cold and Haily Night' and 'Gown of Green' being particularly fine examples. The sisters are equally at home without the aid of any instrumental safety net, harmonies such as those found on 'Fare Thee Well, My Dearest Dear' showing secure, relaxed harmony singing of the highest order.

Particular mention should be made of the concertina playing of Roger Edwards. He's a more than sensitive accompanist, as 'April Morn' and 'On the Banks of Allan Water' reveal, and his 'Double Lead Through' must be one of the finest recordings of a dance tune ever. I defy anyone to listen to it and keep their feet still.

All in all, if you are unaware of the work of Trio Threlfall (as they are now called), or would like to visit old favourites, this recording is highly recommended.

Baz Parkes, English Dance & Song

I wondered on receiving this CD just what was being 'Revisited'. The booklet notes tell me that the recording came about in answer to requests for a further album after two previous ones had been deleted. Somehow I had missed both of those earlier albums so this 'revisit' is my first visit to the music of the Threlfall sisters, and a most welcome one it is.

They sing with a sweet and gentle, but not twee, blend of voices, and accompany their songs fittingly on a selection from guitar, bouzouki, mandola, fiddle and viola. The excellent Roger Edwards, who works with the sisters under the name 'Trio Threlfall', joins in on anglo concertina and guitar to great effect, blending skillfully with the ladies and fronting up with verve on instrumentals such as Double Lead Through, a hugely enjoyable track.

In truth I find all the tracks on this CD hugely enjoyable. The Threlfalls' controlled but heartfelt singing brings out the beauty of their songs so clearly, and although some of the titles seem very familiar this is no handicap. I can listen to songs like Bushes and Briars and Claudy Banks over and over again when sung so well and in such variants. It's been years since I heard On the Banks of Allan Water, and here it is, with a superb concertina/viola accompaniment, another delight in an album full of irresistable charm, to which I happily succumb.

Roy Harris , The Living Tradition


Sweet Nightingale    Revisited    Gown of Green    Morning Tempest