Haddo
Album: Homecoming
Label: Lulubug
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.haddofolk.com

Husband and wife team Will and Nicky Pound come together as Haddo to produce 'Homecoming', which is a wonderful debut album.

Whilst Will Pound is widely acknowledged as the UK's foremost harmonica player, and this album is Will's first outing with the melodeon, an instrument with which he is already receiving virtuoso recognition. With the odd exception, the melodeon is the instrument of choice throughout the ten tracks on the album.

Wife Nicky is herself a phenomenal fiddle player, with previous collaborations featuring Sir Colin Davis and Sir Elton John to her name.

Guests Martin Simpson, Andy Seward and Keith Angel lend a hand on two tracks, but other than this, the album is just Will and Nicky throughout.

The feel of this album is probably best described as sparse yet sumptuous, and with such quality of musicianship in evidence right the way through the track list, it is definitely as case of 'less is more'

Folk purists will not be at all disappointed, and should take delight in the excellent choice of tunes included on the album.

There is more than a smattering of morris tunes, not surprising really given Will and Nicky's previous involvement in the dance genre, but there's also bluegrass as well as original tunes from Will, Nicky and the wonderful Simon Care.

Hard picking a favourite track, especially as there are no obvious weak spots on the album, but the first track 'Willow Tree' is a great morris tune and a perfect album opener. Both of the tracks that feature guest appearances, 'Homecoming' and 'Tea For Nicky' work extremely well, as does the only track on the album where Will unleashes the harmonica 'French Canadian Reel'.

Haddo's debut is simplicity done to perfection, and is a real joy of an album.

Phil Carter