Pepper And Shepherd
Album: Wreck And Reel
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 8
Website: http://www.pepperandshepherd.co.uk/

Pepper And Shepherd were a band that got in touch having played alongside a couple of bands that we've feature on these pages in the past and I'm really glad they did as they've put together a really strong debut album, "Wreck And Reel".

(James) Pepper and (Anthony) Shepherd are currently based in South London and have predominantly played around London and the South East, but hopefully this album will be a springboard that will allow them to start gigging further afield on a regular basis.

Their approach is a simple, straightforward lo-fi one, the songs draw on traditional influences and then gently layer touches from innovative singer-songwriters and musicians of the likes of John Martyn and Bert Jansch. That those two names come up as comparators is because the instrumental phases of the songs really does have its moments that are separate to the tight vocal harmonies that are also very much on the mark.

There is a beautiful simplicity to "Wreck And Reel" one that gains in complexity the deeper you try listening to the songs, more so when the duo drift closer to soul and blues crossovers, "Blackbriar Blues" being a particular case in point.

There were a couple of times on the first listen through that I almost found myself congratulating Pepper And Shepherd of the imaginative reinterpretation of traditional songs, but having investigated the sleeve notes, found myself correcting to, 'the duo have penned some excellent songs that could easily find themselves being absorbed into the tradition ahead of their time and that's always quite a compliment to songwriting.'

Needless to say, this is a strong debut album, one that has laid down an impressive marker for the duo. Pepper And Shepherd are a duo to keep an eye on and to take the time out and explore. If they can't get to you and you happen to be in London, look 'em up.

Neil King