Seasonal albums, some come in the guise of a Christmas recording, others – like this one – touch on that but tend towards Winter as an umbrella. A percentage of them are cute and covered in tinsel, some are stark, cold and chilly but atmospheric, others jolly, come all ye, and open fires, yet more simply nostalgic. Even within such a narrow genre it appears there’s much that’s eclectic. It’s always been a given that folkies are pretty good at this sort of thing, as within tradition there’s a ready stack of material that references this time of year, both vocal and instrumental. The first worthwhile release I came across in the slipstream was Horslips ‘Drive The Cold Winter Away,’ a real tonic, snow and frost all over it and yet had enough cheek to reference Spring as well. Others followed in some number.
Which brings us really to The Unthanks, who many years ago – when TV exceutives were more musically aware and open to specialist genres, 2009, if I recall – took part in a Christmassy music hall slice of Victoriana on the Beeb alongside Thea Gilmore, Bellowhead, Jim Moray and sundry others. Squirreling the idea away as something they might develop one day, it’s taken a decade and a half, ‘In Winter’ is the culmination.
The cover gives you an idea of the contents, cold, carols, customs and Christmas, all presented by The Unthank sisters with various chums and relatives along to add heft and decoration. Enough material to fill a pair of CDs – that’s nineteen tracks – both ages old and freshly composed. The ladies describe it as a “dream like fantasia, embracing both dark and light,” pretty much what you get. Some of it familar, ‘Gower Wassail,’ Steeleye did that on ‘Ten Man Mop’ ‘In The Bleak Midwinter,’ uniquely strummed by Bert Jansch and ‘The Holly & The Ivy,’ by everybody in the world… just about! Whilst all that’s fascinating and often done in ways you wouldn’t expect what I find most appealing is the stuff they’ve written themselves which references obscure traditions found in way out places. ‘Tar Barrel In Dale’ f’r instance celebrates a custom where some brave souls run around with flaming barrels of tar on their backs – rather them than me to be honest, bet it’s fun to watch though!
Jazz seeps through the ensemble playing especially on ‘River, River,’ from the pen of Becky Unthank and Ainsile Henderson, a celebration of north country watercourses, there’s also a tip of the hat to the NHS and all the extra work which comes its way in the coldest season, the album is all the more worthy for the intention and gesture. Instrumentally ‘In Winter’ is satisfyingly diverse with electric guitars, bass, drums, saxophones and everything inbetween. The production is crisp and sharp and undoubtedly a push towards brave new territory.
An appealing way to be merry.
Simon Jones.
the-unthanks.com
