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Album Reviews
'Hyperboreans' - new album from Jackie Oates (July 29, 2009)
The 7 September 2009 is a date to note –
it’s the release date of the latest album ‘Hyperboreans’ from Jackie Oates – do
not miss it. This album gives you Jackie’s clear beautiful voice and
sensitive touch on the strings - every word and each note perfect.
 Without doubt ‘Hyperboreans’ will become yet one more classic in
English folk music. It will become a beacon of the genre. The album, produced
by Jackie’s brother Jim Moray is a collection of 11 subtle and enchanting songs
that flow through the album with the depth and lazy authority of a summer river. The
musicians list reads like a folk music who’s who – Jackie Oates (vocals, viola,
violin, shruti, cello) James Dumbleton (guitar) Alasdair Roberts (guitar,
vocals) Saul Rose (melodeon) Sille Ilves (fiddle, bowed lyre) Bethany Porter
(cello). Add to that The Stringbeans Quartet: Bethany Porter (cello) Emma
Hooper (viola) Sue Lord (violin) and Emily Travis (violin). And of course there's Jim
Moray (guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, acoustic bass, tenor guitar, sampling,
vocals).
Among the treasures are ‘The Miller and His Three Sons’ which
opens the album and says it all – fabulous vocal delivery, spot on
musicianship, superbly produced – this is English folk as it should be sung. ‘Hyperboreans’
(written by Alasdair Roberts) is an insistent tune that catches from the first
and deserves as much play as it gets. The tracks that follow all keep faith and touch your ears with rare and exquisite treats such as ‘Locks
and Bolts’ and ‘The Pleasant Month of May’. Jackie’s version of ‘Past Caring’
is just right; her voice carries the sad, persistent ache and resignation of
Henry Lawson’s poem and matches perfectly with the depth of Phyl Lobyll’s music.
The album closes with an extraordinary version of ‘May the Kindness’ by Exeter
songwriter Dave Wood – Jackie’s voice and Belinda O’Hooley on piano - listen
and find tears in your eyes.
This is beautiful folk. You could listen to thousands of
songs and not hear such beauty. There’s a place that this music lives and that
place heals us all. Listen and enjoy. Click here to return to the Album Reviews page
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