Carrivick Sisters - Over the Edge

  by Malcolm Carter

published: 2 / 9 / 2013

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It is rare that artists that stay firmly and so obviously within one genre actually appeal to those who wouldn’t necessarily appreciate music of the type that they produce. The Carrivick Sisters grew up in South Devon, and ‘Over the Edge’ is their fifth album to date, confirming that not only are the siblings one of the best bluegrass/folk acts around but that they have the ability to appeal to a much wider audience than just bluegrass devotees. Much of this is due to their exceptional vocals. Charlotte and Laura both have that unique English pureness to their vocals. When they sing separately you sit spellbound by the purity in their voices, but when they blend their voices together that all too rare magic happens and the effect is quite breathtaking. The sisters started performing together in 2006, originally busking that led them to proper gigs. In 2007, the year they left school and turned professional, the sisters won the South West Buskers and Street Entertainers Competition, which gained them their first gig at the Glastonbury Festival. Since then they have won more awards, released four albums and toured extensively. The sisters are currently touring the UK until the end of November, while December sees them playing some gigs across Europe. Over the course of those four albums and their tours, the girls have honed their music which in some ways comes of age on this latest batch of songs. Playing the album never fails to get the attention of those around you that would normally give this bluegrass/folk hybrid a wide berth. It is not only those remarkable vocals; Charlotte plays mandolin and banjo as well as guitar while Laura adds fiddle and dobro to her guitar playing, and the full sound they produce is addictive alone, even shorn of those impeccable vocals. There are two instrumentals on ‘Over the Edge’ both composed by Charlotte (All the songs on this album except for the traditional ‘Pretty Fair Damsel’ are originals). The first of these, ‘Making Horses’, is one of those pieces you simply can sit still to. The combination of Charlotte’s guitar and Laura’s fiddle is almost as absorbing as the sound of their voices together on the vocal tracks. The second instrumental, ‘Slap On Eleven’, started out as a clapping game at a festival, Charlotte completed the tune when she arrived home that evening and, as a neat touch, diagrams displaying how to join in with the game are included in the CD booklet. It’s an unusual and welcome addition to the booklet that, along with the album cover is beautifully illustrated; Charlotte, who found inspiration in a painting by Rex Whistler and adapted Whistler’s vision to fit the songs on ‘Over the Edge’, painted the cover image. Just another indication of the talents of the Carrivick Sisters. ‘Over the Edge’ (produced by Joe Rusby at Pure Records Studio which is further evidence that this is an album to be treasured) is one of those albums that is impossible to pick out favourites from. Each and every song from the banjo-led title track, where the tale of working men making a stand for the land they’ve worked suits the sister’s vocals perfectly through the more jaunty sing-alongs like ‘If You Asked Me’ to the sadness displayed in ‘The Moon’ (which are just the first three songs on the album) the girls touch all emotions. As each song unfolds, it feels like you are hearing these graceful, perfect vocals for the first time. A problem with some albums of this genre is that one song can easily merge into the next, and there is little to distinguish one song from another. The exact opposite is true of ‘Over the Edge’. The Carrivick Sisters are so proficient on their chosen instruments they never fail to impress. There really is something new coming through with every listen to the album. And then there’s those voices… ‘Over The Edge’ is a faultless album from two incredibly talented musicians. Five albums and numerous gigs down the road, and they still sound like they only discovered this music this very morning and can’t wait to share it with the world, as such is the enthusiasm that pours out of every song. ‘Over the Edge’ is one of the most addictive albums of the year so far.

Track Listing:-

1 Over the Edge
2 If You Asked Me
3 The Moon
4 I Know You
5 Making Horses
6 Outside Time/Salamander
7 Lady Howard
8 Pretty Fair Damsel
9 Man in the Corner
10 Old Friend
11 Slap On Eleven
12 Bird

Band Links:-

http://www.thecarrivicksisters.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Carrivick-Sisters/337073800161
https://twitter.com/carrivicks
http://www.thecarrivicksisters.co.uk/

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