Black Feathers - Soaked to the Bone

by Adrian Huggins

published: 25 / 3 / 2016

Label: Blue House Music
Format: CD

Eclectic second album from Gloucester-based Americana husband-and-wife duo, the Black Feathers

Review

The Black Feathers are husband-and-wife duo Sian Chandler and Ray Hughes. The pair hail from that well-known hotbed of Americana music...er...Gloucestershire. Their rootsy, stripped-back music sounds initially like it has come straight out of the Delta, but further listening does reveal a British and Irish folk influence creeping in on tracks like 'Winter Moves In' and 'Goodbye Tomorrow' which have that same earthy, olde worldiness as the Unthanks and Kate Rusby. It will not take too many listens before you realise that you have succumbed to the duo's undeniable charm. The male/female vocal harmonies drip joy and togetherness, and the Black Feathers resonate a warmth from start to finish. 'Arclight', 'Blind' and the tearjerking 'Homesick' show a more melancholic sound to the twosome, but if the Americana sound is what you dig then search out 'Down by the River' and 'Take Me Back'. 'Spider And The Fly' is another stand-out track that has an atmospheric, bluesy swagger to it. Despite having a boot firmly planted in Americana, 'Soaked to the Bone' throws out some wonderful surprises and is an incredibly well-rounded and accomplished album.

Track Listing:-

1 Take Me Back
2 Goodbye Tomorrow
3 Arclight
4 Blind
5 All for You
6 Homesick
7 Winter Moves In
8 Down by the River
9 Make You Feel My Love
10 Spider and the Fly
11 Clear Blue Sky