Reviews

Artist:Bass & Taylor
Album: Blue Water
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 14
Website: https://www.bassandtaylor.co.uk/

Anna Bass and Ray Taylor have returned to their roots as a duo after Two Coasts Colder came to a natural ending following eight years on the road. They've announced their duo with an album of fourteen new songs, either written by themselves or their cousin David Edgington, and I have to say that it's utterly charming. This is unapologetically a folk album, firmly in the tradition, with references to coal mines, lifeboats and barges. Even Morris Dancing gets a mention. Every song is well presented and beautifully played with clearly enunciated lyrics and there's no temptation to add layers just because they could. It's rather like spending an evening at your favourite folk club and it works well being listened to with a pint in hand.

With this many tracks it's very difficult to pick the highlights, because every song is there on merit and there's a wide range of subjects to chose from. Opening the album "The Lifeboats" it is true story of The Mexico, driven ashore near Southport in a storm in 1886. Two local lifeboats were wrecked attempting to reach it, losing 27 men between them. A third lifeboat managed to rescue The Mexico's crew successfully. The instrumentation is a simple Indian Harmonium and precise finger picked guitar from Ray but what really makes it is Anna's vocal. She has a wonderful voice, nicely pitched and very clear. She brings a real sense of sadness and melancholy to the piece. Ray provides the backing vocals and the two work well together, Ray's spoken narrative adds immensely to the song.

"The Morris" is a bit more up-tempo, even including an accordion, but charmingly sung. The voices are much lighter and it spreads that feeling of summer watching a side, which we all enjoy even if we won't admit to it. It's a delightful song.

"The Last Day Of Summer" is a train song, the story of a driver thinking back over the time spent with his favourite steam engine now at the end of it's life which is also the end of his time on the railways as well; diesel just doesn't measure up. It's perhaps rosy tinted, a diesel doesn't need firing up at 4 AM, but put that to one side. What makes this song special, and very beautiful, is Anna's singing which I could listen to all day long. Ray's carefully picked guitar and joining in the chorus again adds to it. The chorus is one an audience will pick very easily and join in with.

Bass and Taylor know what do well and stick to it, there are no radical departures from the sound and style they have. That doesn't mean it all sounds the same though. It has to be noted that Ray is good singer; he's not just there for the guitar and backing vocals. He leads on "Looking For The Rainbow" which has a more country feel to it but still fits within the overall whole.

The album was recorded in November '22 at the "Wet Foot Music studios" under the watchful eyes and expert ears of Jonny Dyer and then mixed by Phil Snell. Both have also contributed musically to the project as well. The album is available now, through the website as either CD or download, and if you appreciate good folk music this is one to get, because you'll be listening to it for years to come.

Tony Birch

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