published: 29 /
11 /
2011
Label:
Idyllic
Format: CD
Inventive and eccentric folk recorded on a mix of conventional and unusual instruments on eponymous debut album from Bristol trio, Three Cane Whale
Review
Three Cane Whale are Bristol trio Alex Vann, Pete Judge and Paul Bradley. Their eponymous debut album is a collection of inventive and eccentric folk melodies created using a mix of conventional and more esoteric instruments such as the lyre, the music box and the psaltery (a member of the harp family).
Opening track 'Aphelion' is a charming music box piece clocking in at just under 40 seconds. 'Aphelion' sounds like a Vernon Elliot piece, and sets the mood perfectly for track two, 'Dancing Ledge', which features an expertly played mandolin along with a softened yet precise trumpet lead.
The album continues with 'Skein', a harmonium-driven track with guitar accompaniment. The instrumentation is reminiscent of Yann Tiersen’s soundtrack for 'Amelie', and is superbly executed and melodically uplifting.
I was extremely impressed to read that the entire album was recorded “live” in an eighteenth century Bristol church over the course of a marathon eleven hour session. Listening to the quality of the playing on the album, I had assumed that it had been overdubbed, but this is not the case – these guys can actually play! Composition-wise, there is enough to keep one interested, and the absence of vocals never gets in the way of one’s enjoyment.
Listening to the album, one is struck by a sense of intimacy – I felt like I was in the church with the trio while they played. This is an album of understated quality, technically superb yet never pretentious. In places, I was reminded of the very best of the Incredible String Band. Even the packaging of the CD whispers quality – it is made of rough finished brown card with a monochrome print and a sepia toned photograph of the band on the gatefold. It is, however, the musicianship and the superbly crafted melodies which, rightly, steal the show.
Track Listing:-
1
Aphelion
2
Dancing Ledge
3
Skein
4
Eggardon Hill
5
Isserley
6
Alta (1)
7
Tycho
8
Look Up At The Sky (And Remind Yourself How Insignificant You Are)
9
Cassiopeia
10
Full Moon
11
The Stone Lanes
12
Noctule
13
The Brazen Head
14
Sleeping Out: Full Moon
15
Alta (2)
16
Sluice
17
Tilth
18
Postman's Park
19
Bird From A Cloud
20
Song Of Rescue
Band Links:-
http://www.threecanewhale.com/
https://twitter.com/3canewhale
https://www.facebook.com/threecanewhal
Label Links:-
http://www.idyllicrecords.co.uk/
https://twitter.com/idyllicrecords