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Product Description
Product Description
Windswept big sound third studio release from England’s cinematic septet. Duelling fiddles, uplifting wind and vocal harmonies, breathless grooves and soaring brass crescendos. Since 2010's widely applauded second album 'Forecast', the third release from Birmingham's award-winning septet represents a significant shift up a gear. Drawing on their diverse influences, 'Chasing The Light' sees the band join forces once again with legendary scottish producer Calum Malcolm, in a collection of songs and tunes which explores all the corners of their formidable musical forces. This is folk, but not as you know it; one moment rip-roaring, the next beautifully delicate. The band appeared in 2006 out of the succession of jams and sessions at the Betty Fox School of Ballet in Birmingham, then legenary party venue, from where they take their name. Robin Beatty's songwriting and screen composition credentials and Tom Chapman's fixation with the rhythms of the Peruvian cajón found Samantha Norman and Helen Lancaster's duo relationship just as familiar roaring through celtic fiddle tunes as string quartet recitals. Double bass virtuoso Adam Jarvis and Aaron Diaz's scandinavian jazz trumpet stylings came together with Laura Carter's sweet vocal and woodwind and the band was born. Also available TRANSCD03 'Based On A True Story' TRANSCD04 'Forecast'
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Steve Mansfield
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
This third album from The Old Dance School shows the band taking big, confident steps.
Their trademark elements, of lush and widescreen instrumental arrangements, a select mix of traditional and self-penned songs delivered in Robin Beattie's distinctive tenor voice, a penchant for complex time signatures, and frequent moments of sheer harmonic beauty, are all present and correct; but the development from 2010's 'Forecast' is noticeable in the increased confidence of their presentation and the tightness of their playing.
With twin violins, upright bass, guitar, percussion, a very welcome appearence in a young English band of low whistle, and a trumpet player (who's got an effects box and knows how to use it), the band have a wide variety of splendid sounds to draw upon: the Shetland fiddler vibe of the 'Dancing Ledge' set, for example, the absolutely gorgeous trumpet and whistle harmonies underpinning the song 'The North Edge', or the loose loping guitar and trumpet figure of 'Craigie Hill'.
The Old Dance School are not averse to speed and dexterous technical wizardry for its own sake, but stand out from the pack because they offer much more than that - 'Chasing The Light' invites tonal and quality comparisons with John McCusker's big bands (the 'Under One Sky' tour/album for example), or Carlos Nunez's projects, but with a distinctly Anglo-Scottish sensibility.
I've had the album for a few months and it's one I keep returning to; thoroughly recommended.
Their trademark elements, of lush and widescreen instrumental arrangements, a select mix of traditional and self-penned songs delivered in Robin Beattie's distinctive tenor voice, a penchant for complex time signatures, and frequent moments of sheer harmonic beauty, are all present and correct; but the development from 2010's 'Forecast' is noticeable in the increased confidence of their presentation and the tightness of their playing.
With twin violins, upright bass, guitar, percussion, a very welcome appearence in a young English band of low whistle, and a trumpet player (who's got an effects box and knows how to use it), the band have a wide variety of splendid sounds to draw upon: the Shetland fiddler vibe of the 'Dancing Ledge' set, for example, the absolutely gorgeous trumpet and whistle harmonies underpinning the song 'The North Edge', or the loose loping guitar and trumpet figure of 'Craigie Hill'.
The Old Dance School are not averse to speed and dexterous technical wizardry for its own sake, but stand out from the pack because they offer much more than that - 'Chasing The Light' invites tonal and quality comparisons with John McCusker's big bands (the 'Under One Sky' tour/album for example), or Carlos Nunez's projects, but with a distinctly Anglo-Scottish sensibility.
I've had the album for a few months and it's one I keep returning to; thoroughly recommended.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Pete Fyfe
Format:Audio CD
A couple of years ago I had the pleasure of reviewing the Old Dance School's debut release and mentioned to anyone who'd care to listen that of the current crop of `new' folk bands that they deserved to be up their with your Bellowhead's and Show Of Hands etc. I personally hope they've achieved this goal at least on the festival circuit...for that's where they deserve to be. Ever since Moving Hearts crashed onto the scene thirty-years ago with their genre-breaking `folk-jazz' it has taken until now for a truly British band to make their mark in similar style. Comparisons may be odious but inevitable and if the members of the band; Helen Lancaster, Samantha Norman, Robin Beatty, Tom Chapman, Laura Carter, Aaron Diaz and Adam Jarvis don't mind being counted alongside such august company then I for one am happy to give them that compliment. The music is smooth without being `too clever' and although some of the `old guard' of traditionalists may baulk at the very idea of unusual time changes this proves that young whippersnappers can indeed confound their peers without cocking a snook to what has gone before. I enjoy reading the lyrics to songs and from the pen of Robin Beatty who obviously holds his father in high regard he has come to respect those things in life that are passed from generation to generation....an all too rare thing in the youth of today. Being socially aware, Beatty conveys his passion for the tradition with the (unfortunately) coming onslaught of modern technology on the track "Sula Sgier" but if you make time to read the lyrics you'll feel refreshed and perhaps a little more sensitive to our environment. Technical mastery of the band's instrumentation combined with insightful songs can hopefully inform and educate both the young and the old in this business we label `folk'...at least I really hope so.
PETE FYFE
PETE FYFE
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