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Review: The Unthanks

29 Sep 09 - 03:54 AM (#2733854)
Subject: Review: The Unthanks
From: GUEST,Neil Cossar

Any fans of The Unthanks?

Previously called Rachel Unthank and the Winterset, they are an English folk group from Northumbria.

I saw them last year in Manchester, great show.

The new album is...can I say exquisite! Just love the voices.

http://www.rachelunthank.com/


29 Sep 09 - 03:57 AM (#2733856)
Subject: RE: Review: The Unthanks
From: Georgiansilver

My favourite of theirs... great harmony
29 Sep 09 - 04:21 AM (#2733862)
Subject: RE: Review: The Unthanks
From: Rasener

I saw them live at Caistor about a year or so ago. They were absolutely superb. Not everybodies taste, but they certainly won me over.

I do love the way they do Annachie Gordon.

I also love the version by John Blanks of Gainsborough Folk Club

http://www.myspace.com/rachelunthank


29 Sep 09 - 04:53 AM (#2733873)
Subject: RE: Review: The Unthanks
From: Spleen Cringe

I have my ticket to see them at the newly reopened Band on the Wall in Manchester where they're playing two nights. I'm with Villan - their "Annachie Gordon" on the new album is stunning as is the title track, "Here's The Tender Coming". I like their arrangements and I really like the raw edge to the vocals - it's good to see that major label associations haven't forced them to become bland or anodyne. The only track on the album that didn't work for me was Adrian Nally's "Lucky Gilchrist" which veres a little too far into Genesis/Kate Bush-lite territory for my tastes, but you have to give them some leeway, given its a tribute to a friend who's passed away. Meanwhile, "the Testimony of Patience Kershaw" is very moving - I've only heard it sung by a bloke before (Roy Bailey, I think) and this version is is beautiful. On a personal level, I'm pleased to see singers of traditional songs operating in the mainstream, who don't see the need to airbrush or sanitise their music. Nice one. Can't wait for the gig!

Meanwhile, here's their cover of Robert Wyatt's wonderful Sea Song


29 Sep 09 - 01:44 PM (#2734281)
Subject: RE: Review: The Unthanks
From: Herga Kitty

Name change slightly sneaky, because Rachel and Becky's parents are singers too.....

Sounds really good though!

Kitty


29 Sep 09 - 01:49 PM (#2734284)
Subject: RE: Review: The Unthanks
From: ButterandCheese

"The Unthanks tour their new album as a 10-piece, a kaleidoscope of sound that will include voices, piano, dulcitone, marimba, double bass, guitar, drums, fiddle, string quartet, trumpet, trombone, autoharp, mandolin and ukelele"

sounds like The Unthanks Sisters are fronting Bellowhead


29 Sep 09 - 05:35 PM (#2734507)
Subject: RE: Review: The Unthanks
From: Reinhard

I am always wary of the number of instruments being a large multiple of the number of musicians in a band. Seems the less a group has to say the more instruments they use.


29 Sep 09 - 07:08 PM (#2734591)
Subject: RE: Review: The Unthanks
From: Suegorgeous

They're not everyone's cup of tea (going by past threads on here), but I love their voices and arrangements. Must get the new album.

S


30 Sep 09 - 07:14 AM (#2734854)
Subject: RE: Review: The Unthanks
From: Tom - Swords & Songs

Already got my ticket for the concert in The Sage Gateshead on 22nd October.

You can book tickets here

Should be good fun!


02 Nov 09 - 06:32 AM (#2757808)
Subject: RE: Review: The Unthanks
From: Suegorgeous

Went to see them in concert last night in Bristol, and was sad to find it quite disappointing.

The increase in band members has, to my ears, diluted their former powerful passionate intense sound, which is what I loved about them in the first place. Even the eerie Felton Lonnen had lost something. And there's generally less of the dark among their new songs, which I found mostly too light and pretty (but then I do tend to go more for the dark melancholy stuff myself!).

Not everyone's opinion, I know.


02 Nov 09 - 06:38 AM (#2757811)
Subject: RE: Review: The Unthanks
From: Banjiman

I've never been a fan.

But what I've heard of the new album is winning me over........

A guy can change his mind you know!


02 Nov 09 - 06:45 AM (#2757816)
Subject: RE: Review: The Unthanks
From: Rockhen

I listened to their album, prior to them coming to Caistor. I didn't like it on first listening but it grew on me more and more as I listened. I enjoyed seeing them live, too and I look forward to catching them again before too long. Definitely worth seeing once to make up your own mind, I think. Talented performers.


02 Nov 09 - 07:50 AM (#2757843)
Subject: RE: Review: The Unthanks
From: collierlad

The Unthanks can be heard here
Last weeks Jools Holland show
About 23 mins into the program


05 Nov 09 - 07:58 AM (#2760030)
Subject: RE: Review: The Unthanks
From: GUEST,Colin Randall

Another review here (mine, at Salut! Live, and refers in passing to the lively debate we saw here a while ago):


http://www.salutlive.com/2009/11/unthanks-sensational-wild-inspirational.html

I love the album, as I did the last one (had more doubts about the first one).