Smoke Fairies - Through Low Light and Trees
by Carl Bookstein
published: 15 / 1 / 2011

Label:
V2
Format: CD
intro
Otherworldly and ethereal blend of alternative folk rock and bluesy American on first album from young English duo, the Smoke Fairies, that sounds ancient and modern at the same time
From school in rural England to living in New Orleans and Vancouver, Katherine Blamire and Jessica Davies have toured across continents and have seen dreams come true. They have toured with Richard Hawley and have had a track produced by rock icon Jack White. Together these two angelic voices combine as Smoke Fairies who now release their debut album 'Through Low Light and Trees'. The Smoke Fairies debut album is a mesh of shivery alternative folk rock and bluesy Americana. Theirs is a sound that is at once ancient and modern. As the album opens with 'Summer Fades', the sound of Fairport Convention and Sandy Denny come to mind. The effect is lovely folk with touching vocals. The lyrics are also engaging: “Can we start something new, just me and you?/ A future unseen is a future I can believe.” The music is intimate and personal, travelling straight to the soul. On 'Devil in My Mind', we once again hear these two beautiful voices combine on harmony vocals. There is a spare acoustic based arrangement that nevertheless captures a full musical sound. The effect is soothing and evocative. The Smoke Fairies also capture an emotional intimacy on the album, alternating between expressions of loneliness or longing and a mood that is more optimistic. 'Hotel Room' is warm and divinely inspired as well as perhaps the catchiest track on the album. “I’ve got a reason to glow/Got a reason to treat you like I love you.” The music is guitar and vocal-based with some fine Hammond organ here as well. The sonic landscape of 'Through Low Light and Trees' at times transports the listener to a place that brings to mind a medieval fairy tale. The Smoke Fairies music is at once otherworldly as well as being warm and personal. 'Morning Blues' speaks eloquently about loneliness: “The only truth I know is in the morning you’ll be gone.” 'Feeling is Turning Blue' is a folk blues, as we hear touching music that plays upon the heart strings. 'After the Rain' is the soul stirring finale that once again speaks to the theme of loneliness: “I only feel alone like I don’t even know who is sleeping in my bed/And love’s a ghost that passes through.” As they describe both the highs and lows of life, the Smoke Fairies continue to hit the note. 'Through Low Light and Trees' is a beautiful blend of alternative folk rock tunes from these two angelic and ethereal voices.
Track Listing:-
1 Summer Fades2 Devil In My Mind
3 Hotel Room
4 Dragon
5 Erie Lackawanna
6 Strange Moon Rising
7 Morning Blues
8 Storm Song
9 Blue Skies Fall
10 Feeling Is Turning Blue
11 After The Rain
Have a Listen:-
interviews |
Interview (2008) |
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Blues folk duo the Smoke Fairies have attracted the interest of among others Bryan Ferry who they recently toured with. Sarah Maybank speaks to Jessica Davies and Kaf Blamire about their group and new single, 'Living with Ghosts' |
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