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Review

Whalebone

There To Here


by Ian Mann

January 21, 2010

/ ALBUM

Guitar duo playing folk inspired originals plus instrumental cover versions of classic rock songs

The history of Bridgnorth based folk/rock instrumental trio Whalebone is covered elsewhere on this site in the review of their hugely enjoyable 2009 live recording “Rootsy..Folky..Live and Funky”. Currently comprised of Steve Downs and Charlotte Watson (guitars) plus fiddler Sarah Ibberson the band are a popular attraction on the pub/beer festival circuit of the West Midlands and The Welsh Borders.

“There To Here” is a newly remastered version of the band’s first album cut in 2006 when the group was a mainly acoustic guitar duo consisting only of Downs (lead) and Watson (rhythm). The original album contained nine of Whalebone’s original folk tinged tunes plus a version of Rory Gallagher’s “I’m Not Awake Yet”. One of the most popular aspects of Whalebone’s live shows are their instrumental versions of classic rock songs, an affectionate nod to Downs’ and Watson’s musical pasts. Three of these are included here as bonus tracks, Lennon and McCartney’s “Blackbird”, The Eagles’ “Hotel California” and Dire Straits’ “Sultans Of Swing”, the latter the only piece to overlap with the later trio recording.

Almost inevitably the record doesn’t have quite the range of it’s successor but there is still much here to enjoy. Whalebone’s standard of musicianship is well above that of most other pub bands in their location and their playing is crisp and well articulated as exemplified on the two song-like opening numbers “Carry Me Home” and Can’t Stop The Tide”.

The duo sometimes reference the Shropshire landscape in their titles. The folk flavoured “Arley Barley” takes it’s title from a village in the Severn Valley near their native Bridgnorth and the atmospheric “Devil’s Chair” derives it’s name from one of the peaks in the beautiful and dramatic Stiperstones area in the extreme west of the county. Jazz drummer Clark Tracey once recorded an entire suite based on the hills of The Stiperstones but that’s another story. Whalebone’s “Devil’s Chair” finds Downs playing long, effects laden lines on electric guitar, sounding like a folk influenced Robert Fripp.

Elsewhere “Waiting For The Sun” is appropriately wistful while the more forceful “On The Other Side”  references the blues with one of the players, presumably Downs, deploying slide judiciously.

“Two Spirits” is fragile and folky, Gallagher’s “I’m Not Awake” becomes a powerful acoustic folk blues. “Lost Days” conveys some of the melancholy suggested in the title and the closing “Dreamstate” is appropriately atmospheric, sometimes hypnotic.

The three bonus tracks are all hugely popular items at Whalebone’s live shows. “Blackbird” brings out the beauty of the melody and deploys percussive effects to give impetus. “Sultans” is a chance for Downs to show off his considerable chops and the spiralling, coruscating “Hotel California” is always been a huge favourite when I’ve seen it performed at The Bell Inn in Leominster. Whalebone’s cover versions are affectionate rather than ironic, they’re not done just as a novelty and hence have a longer lasting appeal.

Whalebone are one of the most accomplished acoustic bands in their area and this recording shows their guitar playing at it’s best. The production on the remastered edition is sharp and professional and fully does justice to their abilities. However the presence of an additional instrumental voice in the current edition of the band adds considerably to their appeal and of the two Whalebone albums available the trio recording “Rootsy etc.” has to be the better bet. For all that though “There To Here” stands on it’s own merits and is a good souvenir of the group’s enjoyable live performances.

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