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| Album, Gig and Band Reviews |
Telling the Bees – debut album ‘Untie the Wind’ (April 21, 2008)
'Poetic lyrics, inspired musicianship, sacred elements reflecting through the folklore of England'
By
tradition, people tell their bees about significant events to ensure
the bees remain in their hives. I hope the nation’s bee keepers don’t
forget to tell their bees about the debut album ‘Untie the Wind’ from
Telling the Bees because this is a significant event in English folk.
It’s the richness and shadows of English folklore transcended into
musical expression and thoughtful lyrics.
 Telling the Bees is
songwriter Andy Letcher (mandolin, mandolute, English border bagpipes,
vocals) Colin Fletcher (electric and double bass) Jane Griffiths
(fiddle, viola, concertina, vocals) and Josie Webber (cello, piano
accordion, vocals).
‘Untie the Wind’ is an inspiring collection
of songs and tunes forged by the magic of old England seen through the
dusty doors of myth, ancient belief and history, and brought into
today’s world. ‘Waiting for the Dawn’ is a solstice-inspired song,
which guides you gently into the band’s mystical, ethereal world with
soaring strings hovering over the drive of an insistent bass. ‘Quietly
Raging’ gives voice to the trees as they seethe about the increasing,
so-called progress-driven destruction of countryside; it should become
a sacred song against urban sprawl. ‘Wood’ is a beautiful
rustic-flavoured song that reflects as much texture and depth as its
subject - you can almost feel the grain running through the tune as the
lyrics tell the life of a mandolin from woodsman to minstrel.
There
are two instrumentals on the album. ‘Fithfath’ a swirling musical
incantation to celebrate shape-shifting transition, which is musically
what it does wonderfully well. ‘Lyra’ is either a celebration of the
instrument, Ptolemy’s constellation or his theory on musical intervals
– interpret as you wish. Both feature a stirring outing for the border
bagpipes.
The more you listen the more intriguing the songs
become. ‘The Worship of Trees’ – reflects a clear wish to revert to
ancestral type and revere arboreal deities. The song builds layer on
layer with mournful fiddle, pulsating bass and strident strings to drag
you into the world of trees. ‘Telling the Bees’ has gorgeous lyrics:
“Down in the garden where the oak tree grows, stands a wooden castle
with a paper throne.” It’s whisperingly delicate and fits Andy’s voice
as he explores the legend of the hives, while Colin, Jayne and Josie
weave their web of strings around him. ‘Barrow Song’ evokes the spirits
of the earth and the circle of life. You have to wait until the
penultimate track to find the eponymous ‘Untie the Wind’ – believe me
it’s worth the wait. There’s so much going on here you’ll miss much of
the song’s content first time around, listen again and again.
Telling
the Bees kindle all sorts of memories perhaps they are aiming to create
a future memory to perpetuate myth and magic. They exude a style
focused on the old ways and the continued presence of ancient lore that
remains as relevant today as sun and rain. Poetic lyrics, inspired
musicianship, sacred elements and the folklore of England – any of
those attract you? Then this is the album for you.
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