The Askew Sisters
Album: In The Air Or The Earth
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.askewsisters.co.uk

Taking inspiration from Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' - when the shipwrecked Ferdinand finds himself hearing strange music, human or from another dimension - is the starting point for the Askews' folk music philosophy.

Their third full album finds them exploring traditional material; all but the opening pair of tracks which contain tunes by sister Hazel, have some history and background which is clarified in fascinating detail in the sleeve notes. There are the instantly recognisable titles - 'The Unquiet Grave', 'The Wife Of Usher's Well', 'Parsons' Farewell' - which are placed alongside the morris tunes and some less familiar and slightly rarer songs which the sisters have moulded into their own original interpretations. The combination of Hazel's concertina and melodeons with Emily's fiddles and viola serves up a well defined and pure sound which works well with the ballads and beyond.

Talking of which, there are some lovely morris tunes in the collection; 'Old Father William' is a jaunty and lively version with an interesting source; again, check the sleeve notes, and a tune learned from the harmonica playing of Will Pound, initiated 'Room For The Cuckold' and the version presented here. 'Our Cat Has Kitted' , the girls' favourite title on the record, is a hornpipe, while some of the famous European folk tradition of diddling, what you might explain as scat singing in layman's terms, makes an appearance in 'Whitehall Minuet'. The album is literally a real diverse collection of interestingly sourced and beautifully arranged material.

Fans of Bellowhead will be interested to compare the big band arrangements of 'Parsons' Farewell' and the dramatic tale of 'The Wife Of Usher's Well' with much more sparse arrangements. In the case of the latter, the tale is equally intense with the restrained arrangement between the two instruments against the voice. Ending naturally, with the icing on the cake, the non-political anti-war song 'I Wish All The Wars Were All Over', it's a well known yet beautifully reworked and delivered version. Accompanied initially by a simple drone and ending just with Hazel's voice, the poignancy and emotional impact is quite telling. Particularly in this year of the centenary of the Great War, the sentiment is especially moving.

With Andy Bell at the producer's helm, the Askew Sisters have delivered an album of delightful variety and in turn added themselves to the list of strong duos who will be vying for acclaim in the end of year reviews.

Mike Ainscoe