Great reviews of The Unthanks with Brighouse and Rastrick Band
Unthanks/Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band at the Lowry, Salford
The Times
Stephen Dalton
An inspired marriage of parallel northern folk music traditions brought a warm, uplifting, communal mood to Salford on Tuesday. First performed in July as part of Durham Cathedral’s annual Brass Festival, this collaboration unites the reigning crossover stars of British folk-pop with one of the world’s oldest and most celebrated brass bands. West Yorkshire legends currently celebrating their 130th anniversary, the Brighouse and Rastrick are best known to anyone over 40 for their hugely successful 1977 single, The Floral Dance.
The Tyneside-based Unthanks have edged away from their folky roots recently, embracing a lusher, jazzier sound and covering work by left-field pop songwriters, including Antony Hegarty and Robert Wyatt. On paper at least this touring show may sound like a return to tradition. But it felt more like an avant-garde classical concert, with softly pulsing brass motifs recalling Gavin Bryars, shiny fanfares that galloped along with a Nymanesque urgency, and embedded vocal samples reminiscent of Steve Reich.
Rachel and Becky Unthank initially appeared nervous. Suppressing their usual giggly Geordie banter, they sat onstage awkwardly while the Brighouse leader Sandy Smith conducted long orchestral passages. Fortunately, both sisters were in typically fine voice — Rachel crisp and resonant, Becky soft and smoky. And in fairness, both loosened up for the show’s second half, regaining some of their old puckish spark.
Any 21st-century artist singing bitter lyrics about real-life mining disasters and thwarted working-class lives is making a political statement, but this concert felt more politically explicit than more conventional Unthanks performances.
Specially composed for this project by the band’s musical director Adrian McNally, the sparkling piano-and-brass piece Father Suite incorporated paeans to left-wing atheism and deceptively soothing Marxist lullabies. McNally dedicated this section to George, his and Rachel Unthank’s new baby.
The Brighouse and Rastrick filled their two solo spots with jaunty instrumental jigs, but they were at their best during these more tender collaborative ventures, laying down luxurious beds of fuzzy-warm, heart-tugging brass for the band’s sublimely blended voices. Mutual co-operation is the heart of this fine project, proving there is such a thing as society.
Leeds Town Hall, tonight; Bristol St George’s, Sat; Northampton Derngate, Sept 24; Derby Assembly Rooms, Sept 25
More stories and reviews.....Adrian from The Unthanks writes about the project and more in The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/sep/08/the-unthanks-brass-band?INTCMP=SRCH
and another great review 4barsrest
Brighouse & Rastrick and The Unthanks
15-Sep-2011Conductor: Sandy Smith
The Lowry
Salford
Tuesday 13th September
This musical collaboration is nothing short of a wonderful breath of fresh air.
Having joined forces at Durham Cathedral and the Barbican in London over the last few months to glowing reviews (which resulted in a recent article in The Guardian, whilst The Times was rumoured to have a reviewer here), this inventive brass and folk combination combined once more to perform to over 1,000 people for what was a fabulous night of music making.
Different
Relaxed, informal and certainly different it may have been, but the level of professionalism shown by both artist’s was exemplary – a mesmerising celebration of a musical culture that deserves a critical as well as popular spotlight of attention.
It was not however a combination of what could be lazily described as ‘Northern’ musical culture - more music inspired by the whole social and economic roots from which it originally emerged.
The historical lineage and musical provenance of the music performed was unmistakably authentic.
With the new commissions and arrangements by Sandy Smith of original material (some dating back well into the last century) the end result was a memorable combination of folk and brass.
Supporting
Brighouse & Rastrick provided a supporting foundation that at no point submerged the leading lines performed with such beauty by the singers, pianist and violinist.
Their control added a subtle timbre to each piece, although the band was able to loosen the self imposed restraints with well known works from the pen of Gordon Langford such as the Irish Folk Tune, ‘The Girl I Left Behind Me’ and ‘North Country Fantasy’.
The delightful intimacy of the Unthanks vocals and multi-part harmonies were heard from the opening ‘The King of Rome’ to the closing ‘Fareweel Regality’.
‘Trimdon Grange’ depicted the tragedy of the 1882 colliery explosion, whilst the four movement ‘The Fathers Suite’ written by Adrian McNally to celebrate the birth of his son with his partner and singer, Rachel Unthank, was a thought provoking work of deep seated meaning, with haunting, loving words by Tyneside miner, Jack Elliott set to the music.
Vocalist Chris Price, really enjoyed himself in ‘The Queen of Hearts’ which in the style of ‘Mack the Knife’, laid out its dark edged story, before the evening drew to a close with some lovely Northumbrian folk songs.
Humbled
The folk group seemed almost humbled to be on the same stage as the National Champion, but with such a worldwide reputation themselves it seemed that both elements complimented each other superbly.
The Unthanks have clearly taken the band to their hearts and their respect and admiration for Sandy Smith’s cultured arrangements was heartfelt and genuine.
Plaudits
If you get the chance to see this musical combination together before the end of September, do so.
Malcolm Wood
and some more great reviews here !
http://www.wordmagazine.co.uk/content/the-unthanks-with-brighouse-rastrick-brass-band
Latest 7 Songs news here. Check the video and music for the wonderful Human Nature Project at Dovestone Reservior led by Jason Singh.
