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The Living Tradition _________________ SOURCE Scottish CONTENT INSTRUMENTS
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| GRAHAM & EILEEN PRATT "Borders of the Ocean" Grail CD 001 | ||||
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The Melody Maker
piece headed "PRATTS GO PRO", over 20 years ago said it all, as Graham
and Eileen packed in the day jobs and headed off into the great wide open
to seek fortune and fame. And they gave it a good shot too, before the
pressures and uncertainties of life on the road made them retreat to Sheffield
and a more secure financial base. Now with family grown up and pension
plans in place (ahem!) they're back with toe-in-water appearances at festivals
such as Whitby and this new collection reminds us just why we loved 'em
in the first place - and why with all manner of fads having come and gone
since their heyday, the Pratt experience is/was such a life-affirming
one.
This compelling, genuine
article of an album then heralds the start of another phase of career
development but no dip in the quality control that was always a touchstone
of past recorded glories on the Cottage, Dingles and Plant Life labels.
Beginning densely with "Fair and Tender Ladies", a professional and polished
mix of traditional material unfolds with Graham's own wry, skilful songs
as per "Rumours" and the languid "Another You" to add variety. A really
welcome return and whilst there are no surprises - what you get is a CD
brimming with good songs, a pleasingly solid effect is created throughout
with well-chosen, never hackneyed programming.
Instrumentation is
Graham's guitar, concertina and keyboards in the main, but it's Eileen's
voice that once heard, remains in the mind forever. One of England's finest,
measured and subtle - and simply one of the Country's great natural assets!
Contained here are definitive readings of "Dark Fairy Rath" and "Broomfield
Hill" but I'd consider it pointless to single out songs for specific praise
from this enjoyable and listenable outing - frankly it's all glorious.
Coming around again indeed - this one noses ahead of the pack.
Clive Pownceby
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