Other Reviews

26/05/2010

The Longshot

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Megson

'The Longshot' is the fourth album from Debbie and Stu Hanna, perpetual nominees for best duo at the BBC Folk Awards. Since their first album Stu has become a highly regarded and in demand producer in the folk world, being at the helm for Mawkin Causley and the latest Show Of Hands album. The fact that Steve Knightley and Phil Beer trusted Stu implicitly with the production of their Arrogance Ignorance and Greed album speaks volumes for his skills.

Somehow during all of that production work for other artists Debbie and Stu found the time to compile material for a new Megson album, as well as moving house. They have stayed true to their northern roots and practice of researching material that focuses upon the working man and woman's life, there are eleven songs with evocative titles like Working Life Out, The Last Man In The Factory and Working Town.

The songs themselves are by and large the best they have ever recorded, naturally the production and mixing is pitch perfect, the interplay between their vocals is delightful. Being a couple there is a natural sensuality in their style yet their voices hold a combative edge when needed, no doe-eyed duets here, big bold gritty ballads that aren't afraid to swing out with the rhythm.

Working Town is a good example of that swing, the Megson sound is as much about Stu's clipped and rhythmic playing, here rounded out with some funky finger picking.

Debbies vocal prowess is something that is often skipped over, she inhabits the characters of the songs so completely it's as if she has raised spirits to aid her. Not just the human struggle of the pasts working classes but also their pride, compassion and nobility are summoned up and brought to life.

The Longshot is Megsons best album to date, which is only natural as you can see the steady evolution and flowering of their sound over the past three records. One of the essential albums of 2010.

Iain Hazlewood

www.megsonmusic.co.uk