Reviews

Siskin Green
Album: Living In The Echo
Label: Limpet
Tracks: 12
Website: https://www.siskingreen.com/

Siskin Green are a contemporary acoustic Scottish trio who skilfully layer their three voices and playing to make timeless folk music. LIVING IN THE ECHO is Jane Bentley, Suzanne Butler and Margaret McLarty's second album following on from their fine SISKIN GREEN album released in 2023.

Suzanne Butler's "As I Went Walking" about the human cost of the highland clearances pairs powerful harmonies and an energetic bodhran, guitar and Double bass pulse. Those sublime vocals continue you on Karine Polwart's "Come Away In". Again the rhythm of Jane Bentley's bodhran and percussion coupled with sweet voices and Margaret's guitar and Suzanne's fiddle is ppowerful.The trio's folk vocal version of Welsh "Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer" is softly enveloping with a simply beautiful arrangement. McLarty's strident banjo brings an American feel to up tempo "Oh The Life Of The World" with more sublime singing and playing. Guest Amy Duncan's Double Bass and Margaret's piano bring a Folk Jazz cool sophistication to stunningly uplifting "Don't Be Afraid". At the danger of being repetitive, again the arrangement of the three voices is just a complete delight. Stand out track for its ability to carry me away has to be McLarty's ethereal arrangement of Christina Rossetti's "We Stumble On". Steve Butler at Ferndale Studios placed the three singers, banjo, cello and fiddle at the centre of a sonic cathedral so the elements and space surround you. Turn this one right up and prepare to be transported. "The Love Of God Comes Close" is joyful up-tempo dance with the flute fiddle duet almost becoming trance like. That same hypnotic structure runs through the traditional liturgical "Palestinian Hallelujah" with the voices and Jane Bentley's frame drums creating a mystic or Dead Can Dance atmosphere. The title track picks up the instrumental jazziness of "Don't Be Afraid" and pairs it with deep lyrics. Both "Living In The Echo" and Butler's "Hey Young Girls" are songs of positivity and affirmation, both rousing and celebrating. "Matriarchs" may be thematically linked but it also an impeccably played set of tunes, with some incredible individual and group playing. Love the very physical rhythm and the fiddle and guitar playing. That characterful playing continues through the rousing "Look At Your Hands" a song about faith.

This is a triumph of an album, incredibly sung and played. Steve Butler at Ferndale Studio places you in the middle of quiet intensity and Sandy Butlers sleeve photos set the scene perfectly.

Now which ever single track I accompany this review with I am going to feel I am short changing you and you are missing out

Marc Higgins

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