The little winters is a term used in the US to describe spring frosts, apparently regular enough to constitute an almanac of sorts and characterised by the blooming of certain plants. That is the starting point for Anna McLuckie’s new album, The Little Winters. Anna is a Scottish singer, a songwriter and clarsach player who dedicates the record to the city of Edinburgh. She is supported by Awen Blandford on cello, George Burrage on double bass and banjo-player Sean Rogan who also produced the record. All four are given composer credits.
The opener, ‘Blackberry Love’ references the seasonal plants: redbud, dogwood, locust, britches (a variety of acanthus) and of course, blackberry. The clarsach dominates with the bass instruments laying a foundation and all three supporting players adding vocals. It is a pretty delicate song as is ‘Bitten Winter Skin’ written in Edinburgh. The Scots call the emotion depicted cianalas, in Welsh it’s hiraeth – nostalgia rooted in a very specific place.
‘Winterlude’ would be an instrumental were it not for the voice of Anna’s sister but it provides an introduction to ‘Jay Bird’ as Anna moves away from winters, little or otherwise. The song is based on banjo and leans gently into Americana. The line “Gold or silver, I have neither” is a Biblical quotation but it sounds as though it belongs in an old-time ballad. I find ‘A Man With No Tide’ something of a puzzle lyrically, It’s built on a bass drone, probably cello, with decoration by the clarsach. I need to listen to it several times over. ‘New Northern Lullaby’ is a real instrumental which leads into the next section of the album.
‘Mister God’ comes from Anna’s time living in Manchester, hence “Lowry lines” in the first verse. It is, in part, a comment on the seeming worthlessness of modern life although Anna seems too young to harbour such thoughts. The final two songs take us back to Scotland. ‘I Promise To Linger’ does not mention Anna’s homeland specifically but there is a feeling that is reinforced by the traditional closing track, ‘The Dark Island’, thought to be Benbecula. It’s a fair way from Anna’s Edinburgh birthplace but who’s counting as it fades away with the sound of a boat on the water.
The Little Winters is a lovely album – thoughtful and romantic, nostalgic without really being sad and beautifully played and constructed.
Dai Jeffries
Artist’s website: www.annamcluckie.co.uk
‘Jay Bird’ – official video:
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