Sorrow - Under the Yew Possessed
by Keith How
published: 27 / 11 / 2018
Label:
Select Label
Format: N/A
intro
Keith How examines recently re-released 1993 lost classic 'Under the Yew Possessed', the debut album of Sorrow, which featured Stawberry Switchblade's Rose McDowall and her then husband Robert Lee.
An album that was originally released in 1993 'Under the Yew Possessed' finds new life in 2018 with a re-release on both CD and vinyl. I was certainly unaware that the band Sorrow are, to all intents and purposes, Rose McDowall and her then husband Robert Lee. I was also unaware that Rose McDowall was part of 1980‘s hitmakers Strawberry Switchblade. Further research reveals that, after Strawberry Switchblade broke up at the end of the 1980s, McDowell found herself a member of the legendary leftfield outfit Current 93 and guesting on albums by artists such as Coil and Nurse With Wound. Quite a different world to that of chart success and pop music. 'Under the Yew Possessed' is a melancholic affair full of whispered vocals laced with an eerie ambience that is both intriguing and fascinating. Gorgeous harmonies intertwine with spoken lyrics housed in otherworldly orchestrations. Opening with 'Die', the listener is drawn into a dream like state. McDowall‘s vocals are angelic, and a twelve string guitar chimes like a harp lending an almost baroque feel to the track on this slow, hypnotic opener. As 'Under the Yew Possessded' progresses the sense of quiet melancholy remains throughout. Songs conjure up a pictures of a wistful faerie-like creature wandering between joy and despair. Whispered poetry echoes over an orchestrated ambience on 'Dew of the Sea' before the slightly poppy and uptempo 'Emptiness'.The vocals are again spoken while the backing is flute lead and catchy. The guitar break is delightful. After twenty-five years 'Under the Yew Possessed' is still difficult to classify. There is an underground Goth feel but the overall sense of despair and beauty are never far away. Hailed as a lost classic 'Under the Yew Possessed' never really departs from a feeling of feminine fragility. The settings to the songs is clever and often neo-classical, reflecting Robert Lee‘s influence and desire to present the songs in a serious manner. A very intriguing re-release that captivates and delights. Photographs by Gilbert Blecken https://gilbertblecken.wordpress.com
Track Listing:-
Also In ReView
Andreas Dorau (2022)
Andrew Gold (2023)
Anthony Moore (2022)
Bark Psychosis (2018)
Beatles (2023)
Bert Jansch (2020)
Bert Jansch (2019)
Beth Orton (2014)
Big Eyes Family (2021)
Billy Idol (2018)
Bitter Springs (2021)
Blind Mr Jones (2015)
Blondie (2022)
Blue Nile (2014)
Bodines (2023)
Boyracer (2023)
Breathless (2016)
Brinsley Schwarz (2017)
Cardiacs (2014)
Chvrches (2014)
David Bowie (2022)
David Gray (2020)
Death and Vanilla (2016)
Donald Fagen (2021)
Doug Dillard Expedition (2024)
Earthworks (2020)
Flamin Groovies (2015)
Gene Clark (2019)
Giant Sand (2020)
Giant Sand (2018)
Gomez (2018)
Gong (2015)
Grace Jones (2016)
Grace Jones (2014)
Graham Day and the Forefathers (2019)
Hawks (2021)
Hawkwind (2022)
Hot Pepper (2018)
Ian A. Anderson (2021)
Ian Dury (2021)
Iron Butterfly (2014)
John Cooper Clarke (2016)
Joni Mitchell (2021)
Keith Richards (2022)
Lapre (2020)
Lemonheads (2022)
Loft (2021)
Madness (2014)
McCarthy (2015)
Mercury Rev (2019)
Miscellaneous (2020)
Miscellaneous (2014)
Monochrome Set (2015)
Mothmen (2015)
Neil Innes (2020)
New Leaf (2022)
New Musik (2023)
One Thousand Violins (2023)
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (2015)
Orchids (2023)
Party Day (2021)
Pele (2017)
Phil Alvin (2015)
Phil Ochs (2016)
Primitives (2015)
Prolapse (2022)
Roger Mcguinn (2018)
Rubik (2021)
T. Rex (2023)
Television Personalities (2018)
Terry Allen (2016)
Thin Lizzy (2023)
Townes Van Zandt (2015)
Trashmen (2020)
Ty Segall (2022)
UB40 (2015)
Various (2022)
Various (2022)
VIPS (2020)
Wolfhounds (2015)
Zz Top (2018)
Band Links:-
https://rosemcdowall.bandcamp.com/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_McDowall
https://www.facebook.com/RoseMcDowallandSorrow/
Play in YouTube:-
Picture Gallery:-
soundcloud
reviews |
Dreamstone (2013) |
Pleasant but unremarkable debut album from British producer and electronic artist, Sorrow |
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeySimon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPPrisoners - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Allan Clarke - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Jonny Fluffypunk - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Bluebells - Interview with Ken McCluskey
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart