REVIEW FROM www.livingtradition.co.uk

422 - Go Forth
Fellside FECD237

It really is difficult to realise that over 10 years ago, 422 won the Young Folk Award. It is difficult to accept that their debut CD – imaginatively called One - was released back in 2000. Since then, because of continuing education and numerous individual collaborations with others, only two other CDs have escaped, New Numbers and Major Third.  Continuing the mathematical theme Go Forth is the band’s first group release for about five years.

The same line up has been kept throughout the period since the first CD, which certainly gives continuity to their sound, and allows the listener to see just how well they have developed. Consisting of accordionist Sam Pirt, Emily Ball and sister Sophy on fiddles, Joey Oliver playing whistles whilst Ian Stephenson plays guitars, the tune sets show a variety of influences from Northumberland to Scandinavia via Scotland and what is loosely called the South in the comprehensive notes which accompany these tunes.

There are plenty of highs during the 48 minutes playing time and the band should be complimented on resisting the urge to cram too much onto this CD. I am of the opinion that this sort of length is just about right when it is new material. I enjoyed the emotive whistle playing in the Sitting In The Stern Of A Boat set, starting with an old tune from Argyll which continues whilst Ian’s jig, The Topper joins it - very creative. The Letter That Never Came comes from a film I have never heard of, but shouts out with echoes of old romantic movies.
 It is good to hear 422 again and I look forward, hopefully, to some live gigs to promote this work.

Dave Beeby