Tag: Sarah Lloyd

There have always been bands that ignore the conventional way of doing things. Back in day it was Comus, Amazing Blondel and Incredible String Band, although there were countless others. Now it’s The Owl Service and Trembling Bells. To those names add that of GentleFolk. Nigel Hoyle is the band’s songwriter and lead vocalist with singer/multi-instrumentalist Ian Kennedy, fiddler and vocalist Sarah Lloyd and Elizabeth Forrester on vocals and shruti. They emerged from sessions at The Old Nun’s Head and are very much a part of their quarter of south-east London.

Into The Greenwood is their first album and it’s pretty special. There are eighteen titles but, in reality, it is a single piece of music. The songs are linked by accompanied narration but these blend seamlessly into the songs. The story is essentially that of a journey around the ancient woodlands of southern England led by, or in search of, Herne The Hunter or ‘Cernunnos’ as he’s called in the second song. The journey takes in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and Dorset all the way to Devon. It encompasses Blean, Anderitum – now Pevensey – the New Forest and Badbury Rings; all ancient sites.

Now you’re thinking “concept album” and you’re absolutely right but what a concept. It’s about conservation, history and mythology. It’s enough to make you bundle up and kick through the fallen leaves of autumn searching for fairy rings – but be wary of ‘The Hidden People’ – and think yourself back in time. Musically, it is all acoustic and complex but with a sense of freedom that matches the songs. Ian plays cello, giant tin whistle, flute and bodhran and, in partnership with Sarah’s fiddle, he provides much of the decoration. Nigel’s guitar sounds quite mediæval and I’m agog to see the band live just to watch him play those lead lines.

If you’re thinking that I’m rather taken with GentleFolk again you’re absolutely right. Into The Greenwood has cheered a dull and sunless day.

Dai Jeffries

A short clip of GentleFolk performing ‘Wild & Free’: