Ninebarrow have been making a name for themselves for around twelve years, so perhaps it’s about time that we had a compilation from the Dorset lads. However a straight forward ‘Best Of’ would be the last thing to expect and you won’t be that shocked to find the word reworking being bandied about. Reimagining your past has of course been done many time before, for instance Horslips unplugged for ‘Roll Back,’ Jim Moray collaborated and reset on ‘BeFlean,’ so Ninebarrow… how is it different? Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere have always done their own thing, their own way, so adding the vocals of two whole choirs into the mix whilst it might raise a quizzical eyebrow or two is most likely to them, just another way to vary their music. Or is it?
Actually what they’ve achieved here goes a bit deeper because ‘The Hour Of The Blackbird,’ proves first rate at blending English roots and choral settings. They deserve a tip of the hat for even trying let alone succeeding. Small wonder then that rather than write fresh material the duo decided to cherry pick from previous albums, at least that made a complicated process a little easier. Yet Hart Voices and The Chantry Singers under the direction of Roy Rashbrook – he’s from St. Paul’s y’ know – are assimilated in a very neat way so the album still comes out sounding like Ninebarrow. Add in the experienced hands of John Parker on bass and percussion of Evan Carson and producer Mark Tucker alongside Whitley and LaBouchardiere’s keyboards/various stringed things and you’ve an appealing album which pushes the envelope in a different way.
I make this album number six – apologies if that’s wrong – the skill of all involved makes sure nowhere does one party over ride the other and the choirs are used to enhance Ninebarrow even buoy them along or offer a sort of counterpoint. Naturally the songs they’ve chosen do get tweaked from their original forms here and there, but nothing is glaring just subtle to meet the brief. Best tracks? To be frank it’s hard to single out any one, but the title song starts off like a real folk number with strict rhythmic strings then builds to a vocal swell which liberates the track and sends it spiralling skyward. Ninebarrow’s love of landscape, wildlife and the outdoors especially walking is central to everything here. In places the music really rocks – obviously not literally- as it’s all in the voices and how they interact with Ninebarrow’s empathetic, crafted songs which gives the impression.
All told, rather remarkable. They’re touring this across the autumn, if the gigs are anything like the CD then they’ll be a brilliant night out.
Simon Jones.
