We are delighted to welcome back Belinda
and Heidi to The Greystones following their phenomenal debut with two
sold-out shows for Coven earlier this year. This will be a fantastic
evening in support of their new album Shadows
Shadows is the new album from ‘one of
British folk’s mightiest combinations’ (Mojo);
O’Hooley & Tidow. It is the
follow up to groundbreaking album The
Hum, which earned them a place in
Mojo’s Top Ten Folk Albums of 2014,
a nomination for Best Duo in
last year’s BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards,
a Top of the World album
selection in Songlines Magazine,
a five star live review and
feature in The Guardian, and
an invite to perform at Glastonbury
by Billy Bragg.
In between, the duo took time out to
self-record and produce Summat’s
Brewin’; an album that celebrates the ‘spirit of the small’
whilst exploring the nation’s fascination with alcohol, released on
their own micro label Hum Records.
Walking away from the tried and tested route of a two yearly major
record release to self-release a concept album may have seemed a
foolish move for a band that were courting so much attention from
the national press and BBC Radio 2
and 6. However, for Belinda
and Heidi, it was an invaluable opportunity to move into the shadows
for a time and explore an alternative path of repose, reflection,
listening and sharing, culminating in
Shadows.
Shadows conveys the vast expanse of
human emotion, from tenderness to sensual melancholy, boundless joy
and hope to anger and grief, from dogged determination and grit to the
disturbing and deeply unsettling. Under careful consideration are
those who live their lives in the dark, whilst others are gently
lifted out of the dusk, from Belinda and Heidi’s own, deeply personal
shadows, to the crimes committed behind closed doors.
Made
in England shines a light on the contradictions embodied by
groups such as UKIP and BNP; where immigration is seen as dangerous
and should be halted and Britain should definitely leave the EU,
whilst their members devour curries, kebabs and pints of European
lager. Oh, the irony. The track also features a special guest vocal
from performer and activist; Grace
Petrie, with backing vocals by
Lady Maisery.
Accompanying the duo on
Shadows is a selection of
highly expressive, sensitive musicians;
Pete Flood (Bellowhead)
contributes drums, percussion and sampled bicycle sounds,
Michele Stodart (Magic
Numbers) provides warm, lyrical electric guitar, bass and
ebow, while Andy Seward (Kate
Rusby Band) offers beautifully fluid double bass lines,
Jude Abbott (Chumbawamba)
adds sprinkles of trumpet and flugelhorn alongside the deceptively
simple, stirring viola playing of BBC
Radio 2 Folk Award winner
Rowan Rheingans (Lady
Maisery).
Not to be missed!!
* * * * * - The Guardian
‘Formidably brilliant.’ -
Independent
‘Brave, beautiful and
full of love.’ - Martin Simpson
‘In the leading ranks
of the new wave of folk music aristocracy.’ - Tom Robinson, 6
Music