Blowzabella
Album: Strange News
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 13
Website: http://www.blowzabella.co.uk

Blowzabella is the band infamous for its infusion of strings, guitars, jazz, squeezebox and hurdy gurdy. Years have been spent by this band on the music scene performing ceilidhs, at festivals and spreading the word of folk dancing. 'Strange News' is their latest release and promises to be full of action.

This album kick starts with a vocal track called 'All Things Are Quite Silent' which demonstrates early the uses of hurdy gurdy and Andy Cutting's accordion skills. The forefront of this track is of course the vocals of Jo Freya.

The albums are usually a mixture of dance tunes and vocal songs, and 'Strange News' is no exception with a good mix of foot tapping tunes then beautifully sung songs to keep up variety. 'Malique' in particular is a tune that will really get you pumped.

The title track 'Strange News' is another vocal track which is again beautifully sung and tells a soft story that is pleasant to follow and listen to, a big jump from the more energetic tracks that you would dance to.

To me the appeal of Blowzabella is not merely the variety of instruments but how well they are made to work together; at times it doesn't feel like simply several instruments coming together, but as just one collective instrument.

'The Muffler/ Bhaskar's' and 'The Diggers/ Cotillon' are tracks which are masterfully played and executed, showing the level of diversity available to the band, in particular you can see the ceilidh influence coming out. Picturing people dancing along to this music may make you want to book tickets to the next folk festival.

Paul Rawcliffe