Reviews

Artist:Isambarde
Album:Barnstorming
Label:Whirly Whorl
Tracks: 10
Rating: ****
Contact:   http://www.myspace.com/isambarde

A power trio, consisting Chris Green, Jude Rees and Emily Sanders, Isambarde hail from the Coventry area, but are now reaching quite a distance in their impact. This seems to be down to a wicked combination of playing ability and song selection. The song selection is a very interesting part of the equation.
Whilst the band by and large perform traditional songs, they've picked a lot that strike a chord with the 21st centuary. As we kick back against big government and unwanted wars, Isambarde remind us of those personal freedoms that were hard fought for by the unions, the right of personal freedoms. Regrets at the occasional impacts of illicate sex and the personal implications to families caught up in unjust wars.
English folk music is being performed with a passion again. The songs team with enthusiasm in a group setting in a way they can't when performed by a solo artist. The band setting is where a lot of these songs need to be. As solo pieces they could all to easily fall into dirge. In the hands of Isambarde, the songs positively burst into life. They can make a song that draws on events of 1618 sound like it was about 20 past 4 yesterday.
Folk is setting the 21st century on fire and Isambarde are a band to fan the flames.