Reviews
Richard Trethewey Album: Richard Gendell's Cornish Protest Songs
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 5
Website: https://www.richardtrethewey.org/
Richard Trethewey is not only one of the finest fiddle singers in the country and is a man very proud of his home county so his tackling Richard Gendell's Cornish Protest Songs seemed like an obvious reference point.
Take out the local references and there is a lot in this EP that applies to many a costal communities, second homes and poor local wages combining into toxic conditions for family life and communities.
These are subjects that it would be very easy to get ranty and shouty about, but Trethewey's melodic interpretation of the songs seems to give them more power, the narrative finding an easier path than anger can on it's own.
The melancholia of the fiddle bringing real poignancy into songs like Silver Net and the Theft Of The Mackerel both come back to the subject of greed and overfishing and a failure to protect the local fishing boats whilst sustainability was ripped away from local boats used to working traditional cycles.
These are songs Trethewey makes his own, protest has never sounded so sweet and that's the point, these are songs that reach the heart, songs that make you think. This is a performer using the tools of his trade to lament the damage that has been done to local trades and traditions, not in the name of progress, but in greed. "Richard Gendell's Cornish Protest Songs" as delivered by Richard Trethewey, doesn't hammer home the point, but constantly hits the mark with a solid performance delivering well placed narrative.
Neil King
| Previous | Next |
|---|---|
| Sarah Irvine: Painted Light | Jon Palmer: All The Day Long Day |
Recent Reviews
- Zoe Cure:WAVE
- Sarah Irvine:Painted Light
- Richard Trethewey:Richard Gendell's Cornish Protest Songs
- Jon Palmer:All The Day Long Day
- Jim Ghedi:Death of Robin Hood Soundtrack
- Gilbert O'Sullivan:On The Record
- Anna Anise:Aneth
- Strawbs:Grave New World Live - Strawbs 50 Years On
- Pavel Shalman and Boki Radenkovic:Klezmer & Wir
- Mary Dillon, Neil Martin & Dónal O'Connor:North Of Here
Trethewey Mine
Fatea Showcase Sessions
The Fatea Showcase Sessions are a series of downloads featuring acts that we've really enjoyed and think that more people should get the chance to hear.
Pirate is the current session and features 16 fantastic artists check out the website to find out more about them and download your copy
www.fatea-showcase-sessions.co.uk for all the artist information.