The Jellyman's Daughter
Album: The Jellyman's Daughter
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 11
Website: http://thejellymansdaughter.com/

Whilst they sound as though they've come out of the folklore infused Catskills, the hills The Jellyman's Daughter are actually that bit closer to home, Edinburgh, no doubt with a beautiful view of the castle.

Consisting of singer/guitarist Emily Kelly and singer/cellist Graham Coe, The Jellyman's Daughter draw on a sound that crosses acoustic boundaries which gives them a sense of no quite belonging anywhere, something they exploit to the hilt with lyrics that speak of journeys and restlessness, of going away and leaving a question mark as to whether they are actually going to return.

That raised sense of anticipation is further raised by the vocal dynamic of the duo. You're never quite sure, well on the first few plays at least that if they go into their glorious harmonising, which voice is going to come out of it with the lead.

It's the same with the instrumentation, both cello and guitar are happy taking lead and on occasions this is further augmented by up to three additional musicians, all playing traditional instruments and helping to further expand the musical borders into that mountain music, bluegrass space.

Just how well they do this is brought home with the only cover version on the album, the bluegrassisation, if that's a word and if it isn't it should be, of the Lennon/McCartney composition, "Can't Buy Me Love", I don't think I've heard it done finer.

The guitar/cello combo give The Jellyman's Daughter a distinctive sound and when they need a bit more percussion, well actually Coe's cello provides that as well. This self titled album has a refreshing honesty to it, but boy does it feel restless, I'm looking forward to an encounter at a gig sometime.

Neil King