Dyble Longdon - Between a Breath and a Breath

by Zena Grieg

published: 26 / 11 / 2020

Dyble Longdon - Between a Breath and a Breath

Label: Englsih Electric Recordings
Format: CD

Rich folk rock on the highly anticipated album from Dyble Longdon, who are the late ex-Fairport Convention vocalist Judy Dyble and Big Big Train multi-instrumentalist frontman David Longdon

Review

‘Between a Breath and a Breath’, the highly anticipated album by Dyble Longdon, who are the late Judy Dyble (iconic vocalist and ex Fairport Convention), and Big Big Train multi-instrumentalist frontman David Longdon, has just been released. It comprises seven original compositions, with all lyrics by Judy Dyble and music by David Longdon. The collection is a rich tapestry of sound, with contributions by a wealth of notable musicians, as well as featuring Dyble on autoharp and Longdon on acoustic and electric guitars, piano and keyboards plus mandolin. Deeply personal lyrics underpin a progressive and unique folk interpretation, the ethereal timbre of Dyble’s voice perfectly complemented by Longdon’s earthier sound. There is an interplay of traditional duets by Dyble and Longdon in ‘Obedience’ and ‘Between a Breath and a Breath’. Plus there is an experimental excursion in the two-part ‘France’. The first section of the track is a reverie of romance with “a man from a place near Paris” with a waltz interlude which leads into a landscape and people scarred by the impact of a Second World War invasion– “Fighting in secret with courage that we could not know/As they cried in their hearts and their heads without tears that could flow/…And I wished I had learned all those French words I needed to say/But kind people smiled and between us we managed the day”. The song concludes as the chateau destroyed is rebuilt becoming the scene of Cocteau’s ‘La Belle et La Bete’.......... “A jewel of fantasy glows.” Themes of love, loss, hope, imagination and ultimately acceptance pervade the album. The lyrics are poetic, conveying vulnerability against an expressionist, symbolic backdrop, culminating in the powerful closer ‘Heartwashing’, lyrics recited by Dyble with Longdon responding in song: “And she looks clearly into the future/With open eyes and a resigned and patient heart/For what will be the next adventure/Should there be such a thing.” This is a muted, thoughtful album, infused with moments of energy and colour, a poignant and fitting testament to an excellent singer and musician. It also ventures into new musical territory for Longdon.