Ragged Staff
Album: Kiss The Shore
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 13
Website: http://www.ragged-staff.co.uk

Ragged Staff is a Home Counties-based trio who name themselves after a 17th century inn in the Bedfordshire village of Silsoe (and there's absolutely nothing ragged about their playing!). Their principal musical territory is probably best described as traditional anglo-Celtic, much in the manner of classic Planxty. Through their expert arranging skills they're able to capitalise on a seemingly boundless supply of energy and provide a commendably full sound from their chosen instruments (mostly in the fiddle/bouzouki/uilleann pipes combination but with occasional and most effective augmentation by mandola, tin whistle and percussion); Mike Nacey's bouzouki provides a solid foundation at all times, over which the fiddle and pipes fairly soar with strength and confidence aplenty.

Four of the album's 13 tracks are purely instrumental (comprising three trad-arrs and a Bela Fleck original), while a further three imaginatively pair original lyrics by the trio's Ned (Lawton) with a traditional tune. The remaining six selections are arrangements of traditional songs: virtually all of these are well-known folk standards, but Ragged Staff make extremely good fist of all of them, with muscular, vital and fresh performances that are far from routine and really do enable us to hear their messages anew. Vocal duties are taken by fiddler Caroline Riches and piper Ned Lawton, who are both strong and forthright singers; The Blacksmith, Raggle Taggle Gypsies and Keys Of Canterbury are done as duets, and imaginatively too. Caroline's voice has a pleasing edge that complements its smooth, assured phrasing, and she scores especially on the album closer, a cover of Loreena McKennitt's Never Ending Road. At the same time there's something extra-urgent about Ned's vocal delivery that adds to its attractiveness, if at times (e.g. Star Of The County Down) it might seem just a touch too immediate.

The quality of sheer presence that's abundantly clear throughout the album in all its contributions is nothing but an enormous advantage, and can be taken as an unfailing recommendation for the CD as a whole. Kiss The Shore is the trio's second CD, named I would guess after the wave motion that introduces Ned's song The Whaler; and if their debut (released three years ago) is anything like as good it'll be well worth backtracking to hear.

David Kidman