This should be called Country and Wilmington music. Let me explain. Milton Hide are Jim and Josie Tipler from Wilmington, Sussex and they take their name from a patch of woodland near their home. They are a folk duo that do what good folksingers do. They wander through life, look around them and write songs about what they see.
They have been around a long time but began working as a duo in 2016, this is their first full album. They freely admit to being grey haired and to having something of a penchant for playing gigs in cardigans and slippers [This reviewer punches the air in delight!]. What’s not to like?
Their music has a strong country/folk base but they have shaken things up with help from a bunch of fine musicians. You can hear their influences all through these self-penned tracks. There’s a touch of Fleetwood Mac in the title ‘Temperature’s Rising’ and ‘Making Progress’ makes good use of Josie’s fine voice in a song that reeks of vintage Steeleye and with humour and social comment that is gloriously relevant.
‘Buckle Up’ is a real bottom of the glass, country style ballad with some great slide guitar. ‘Turn Around’ shows light hearted, newgrass with fine harmonies and some great mandolin. Just when you think you have their measure you come across ‘Spacetime’ where they take on the mysteries of the universe in a way that would have made David Bowie proud.
There isn’t a bad track on this album and it left a big smile on my face. It is some of the most heart-warming and uplifting music I’ve heard in a while.
Philip Thomas
