The Old Dance School
Album: Chasing The Light
Label: Transition
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.theolddanceschool.com

I first encountered the The Old Dance School at Ryedale Festival two years ago and was so blown away by their enthusiasm and musicianship that I bought both their then available CDs immediately after the concert and thoroughly enjoyed them both.

I saw the band again at Shrewsbury Folk Festival and this proved they had as much impact on the big stage as in the more cosy surroundings at Ryedale - despite the complexity of the music they are incredibly tight and changes in tempo or key are always made without any faltering. This May saw me return to Ryedale and once again the band demonstrated that they were without doubt destined to be in the very top pantheon of bands on the UK folk and acoustic scene. Purchase of their most recent CD was inevitable and again it proved one of my best investments.

The band describe themselves as a cinematic folk septet which may seem a little pretentious until you hear them. Their blend of folk, classical and jazz creates a truly huge sound which bears repeated listening as I know all too well from preparing for this review!

All but three of the tracks are self penned instrumentals with a predominately celtic feel to them. These have such complex and intelligent arrangements that there is no chance of interest waning as can sometimes be the case with such music when it is recorded rather than live. Adam Jarvis (double bass) and Tom Chapman (cajon/cymbals) provide a solid foundation upon which the twin fiddles (Helen Lancaster/Samantha Norman), guitar (Robin Beatty), woodwind (Laura Carter) and trumpet (Aaron Diaz) build a multi stranded web created from superb melodies, syncopated rhythms and intriguing sonorities - the latter generated from inspired looping and manipulation of the trumpet's sound.

The stand out of the three songs, and indeed my favourite song of the year so far, is Robin Beatty's Sula Sgier - a fascinating tale of how, once each year, ten chosen men from Ness on the Butt of Lewis make a treacherous journey to the island of the title to take gannet chicks to eat as food. When I first heard this I did feel that the refrain was repeated too often but now I understand how these almost obsessive repeats are essential for the song's impact, which is also reinforced by Beatty's beautiful light and clear voice.

The CD closes with another Beatty song - The North Edge - and what a perfect end to a perfect CD with its gentle melody and beautiful lyrics leaving one with the feeling that all is right with the world.

Before concluding I should add that the production of the CD is also of the highest quality - the sound is stunning and all the nuances of the music are clearly heard and visually the CD packaging is a treat too with descriptions of the inspiration of the tracks and lyrics provided.

For anyone still undecided (and you really shouldn't be!) I can recommend a visit to the band's website where you will find a short video about the band and also links to some HD recordings on You Tube. They are appearing at a number of events over the summer and start a nationwide tour in October - if they are anywhere near you go to see them - I guarantee you will not be disappointed!

Joe Grint