There's a force ten gale blowing through the folk world – it's Workshy Prophets. I heard them a while back and I'm still impressed. Currently, they're using the ubiquitous MySpace to launch their talent – good on them they'll soon be everywhere else. Workshy Prophets is Carol Dawson (fiddle) - she of Prism fame. Steve Le Voguer (guitar) and Lisa Oliver (vocals – plus almost everything else, such as bongos, bodhran, doumbek, djembe, cajon, percussion, glockenspiel, accordion).

The combination of their talents is a startlingly fresh blend that while undeniably folk orientated includes jazz, blues and flamenco influences. And why not? Steve's guitar carries the power of the gypsie rasguedo style with rhythmically precise, fast strumming patterns. Although condemned by many flamenco guitarists it works perfectly in their musical mix. Carol's fiddle snipes and cuts across Steve's rhythms to add a touch of pure spice to their tunes. Then she catches a mournful lament to pull you into the sensitivity of her playing. Lisa has a great voice combining both edge, force and depth. It adds immeasurably to their style. Also it's clear from her repertoire that clearly if one can hit it Lisa can play it.

Take The Blacksmith's Farewell. This is a classic Workshy Prophets version of a traditional tune. Steve's guitar scraps and duels with Carol's fiddle throughout, while Lisa's bluesy phrasing and punchy vocal delivery gives a sharp cut to the old song. Another traditional song given the Workshy Prophet's treatment is the gentle The Flower of Magherally. Again Lisa's commanding vocals take the old song somewhere new and you'll like where it goes. The band continues their approach to with Deceit and its foot tapping dance style that carries you along in its wake.   

They say there's a CD on the way in the New Year and I for one will save my Christmas money.

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