Opening with a stunning orchestral, sweep through Sandy Denny’s late epic, “All Our Days” – that’s worth the price of the album alone – Jenn Butterworth signals that she means business and rounds on the tradition in no uncertain terms, crafting a truly ambitious album and at the same time stamping her own identity in dramatic fashion. Read it here… “Her By Design,” is an essential album. Five stars, no mistake.
What’s at the core of the recording is the representation of women in folk song and how it’s easy to overlook their tales and experiences when using traditional material. With simple re-orientation Jenn’s opened up alternate ways of interpretation and viewing, what may already be familiar and well known. Of course others have tried it before and with the best of intentions but I’ll warrant only a few have done it with this much class.
“I wanted to challenge myself by taking complete control of the project from start to finish” she admits. Once accepted there was no going back. What she has achieved shouts success at every level of this multi layered offering. From the sleeve,through the booklet, careful explanation of how each song fits logically into to overall plan, even specially comissioned artworks for each track and then the glorious music there’s nary a weak spot.
You may think the album’s a tad brief at just eight items, but believe me you’re not short changed in any of them. Hand picked comrades helped make the task more fulfilling, amongst them Seonaid Aitken (strings,) James Lindsay (bass/synths) and drummerr Louis Abbott, as well as engineer Andrea Gobbi at Castle Sound and Cicely Balston who mastered at Abbey Road. “Fair Maids Of February,” by Robin Dransfield slowly builds from strummed beginnings to a rock undertow and powerful reflection on the struggles women have to make their voices heard. “The Housewife’s Lament” a reset of traditional lyrics has real bite and current relevance, whilst the throttle is opened up on “Jeannie,” a story of forced marriage known elsewhere as the ballad “Anachie Gordon,” delivered in a tender vocal over bitter sweet strings and booming percussion/echoing moogs. Atmospheric and sympathetic all in one. “Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still,” rocks gently, its fond lyric spotlighting those parted from their love and the memories evoked.
What next? Hopefully she’ll be touring this as it deserves to be heard, here, there and everywhere. The album surely lends itself to a variety of formats and with material this well arranged, written and presented that prospect is enticing. Obtaining a copy forthwith should be your goal. Jenn Butterworth has delivered in spades.
Simon Jones
