Tag: Harriet Davidson

Living in the Echo is the second album from Scottish close harmony trio Siskin Green. Jane Bentley (vocals, bodhran, percussion), Suzanne Butler (vocals, fiddle) and Margaret McLarty (vocals, guitar, banjo, piano, flute), where first brought together by hymn-writer and minister John Bell to provide music for a BBC Scotland programme, Reflections At The Quay. This album was launched at the Christian based Greenbelt Festival. It’s no surprise then, that their strong Christian faith is central to Siskin Green’s music, but if any non-religious readers are thinking this won’t be for them, I would make two points. First, their faith is broad enough to encompass wider subjects such as social justice, peace and, prominently on this album, feminism. Secondly, these are three very accomplished musicians who are deeply rooted in Scottish folk music. Along with the three band members, guest musicians also feature, most notably Amy Duncan on double bass.

Any album benefits from a strong opening track, and in ‘As I Went Walking’ Living In The Echo has just that. Written by Suzanne, it sounds both lyrically and musically like a traditional song, using a format familiar in folk song, where the narrator tells of what they see and people they meet when walking out. Here the first verse concerns a young woman on the beach pining for her lost sailor, the second verse has a traumatised soldier who blames propagandists (particularly minstrels) for glorifying war, and the final verse bemoans the loss of forests felled to build was ships. A powerful anti-war son, that also gets in a point about Highland clearances at the end.   The high standard continues on ‘Come Away In,’ an uplifting paean to inclusion written by Karine Polwart.

Three Christian praise songs follow. The first of these is the hymn, ‘Guide Me, Oh Thou Great Redeemer,’ often referred to as ‘Bread Of Heaven.’ This seemed an unusual choice for a folk album, but this version is very well performed with beautiful close harmony singing. ‘Oh, The Life Of The World’ was written by Kathy and Ian Galloway, Church of Scotland Ministers associated with the Iona Community, of which John Bell is also a prominent member. It’s a Christian song, with a message of reverence for life, and a strong, slightly haunting tune. The track opens with rhythmic banjo playing and ends with a good, fiddle lead, instrumental sequence. ‘Don’t Be Afraid’ is the first of two songs written by John Bell and Grame Maule. It’s a gentle and comforting song with a pop-gospel feel. This is a Christian praise song, but not overtly so in the lyrics.

‘We Stumble On’ is Margaret’s setting of a poem by the Victorian poet Christina Rossetti. Best remembered for the narrative poem ‘Goblin Market,’ and the words of the carol ‘In The Deep Mid-Winter,’ Rossetti is a good fit for this album; a devout Christian whose writing is increasingly interpreted as feminist by modern critics. ‘We Stumble On’ doesn’t have an overtly Christian message, but talks of love, vulnerability, and hope. A compassionate piece, set to an appropriately gentle and comforting tune. Harriet Davidson plays cello on this track, nicely combining with Suzanne’s fiddle.

The tempo hots up for the second track written by John Bell and Graeme Maule, ‘When The Love Of God Comes Close.’ This has a rhythmic tune, on which Jane’s bodhran is prominent. Suzanne has added some impressive fiddle sequences, which give it a Celtic feel. In contrast, a traditional Palestinian tune follows, ‘Palestinian Hallelujah,’ which has a vocal arrangement from John Bell taken from a traditional liturgical text. This begins and ends a capella and the accompaniment to vocal sections is quite minimal, giving this an intense and haunting feel. A very affecting track.

Three tracks which reflect the feminist element of the album follow. The title track was written by Margaret, and is an impressive song, with a jazz vibe helped by her piano. The words celebrate the wisdom passed between women of different generations, and Suzanne’s song ‘Hey, Young Girls’ continues with this theme;

Hey, you mothers, keep loving, keep fighting,
Be the solid ground,
Keep the World gong round.
Keepers of our past and future.

Suzanne provides a suitably comforting tune for a hopeful song. She also wrote the only instrumental track, ‘Matriarchs,’ which consists of two tunes, ‘Molly Muddle’ and ‘Lainey’s Half Century’.

The final track – ‘Look At Your Hands’ – is a setting, by Margaret, of a poem by Graeme Maule. Appropriately, Margret has written a good, Scottish tune to bring Living In The Echo to a close.

Living In The Echo is an understated sort of album. As Siskin Green nicely put it: “This is folk music that doesn’t shout to be heard”. Rather, it aims to draw listeners in with the quality of the music and by telling of “the complexity of contemporary life with honesty, compassion and confidence.”  As this suggests, it’s a serious album with deep messages. There are upbeat, optimistic songs – such as the title track and ‘Hey, Young Girls’ – but it might be more accessible with a few lighter touches.

This is also very much an album of Christian Folk, but that is no reason for anyone to discard it. After all, it would be a shame to go through life only engaging with artists who share our worldview. Christian listeners will feel the deepest connection to Siskin Green’s work, but for all lovers of folk music this is an album of top-class musicianship, intelligent songwriting and impressive arrangements which is well worth a listen.

Graham Brown

‘Hey Young Girls’ – live: