THE DRYSTONES - We Happy Few
Private Label
This is the third album from the Priddy Powerhouse duo and should make them a whole load more friends. Their amazingly confidant, exuberant and driving tune sets (such as Treekend and Fire And Brimstone 10) are balanced by some more considered and lyrical numbers including Hole In The Wall. As should be well-known by now, their technical ability is staggering, not only on whistle, fiddle and guitar but also a host of percussion instruments which help add extra texture and keep the variety level high. This is balanced by arrangements which showcase the tunes, rather than just the performance, such as the finishing polka set (I really can't bring myself to call it More Nyah!) which provides drive allied with delicacy, without ever falling into the trap of speed for its own sake. Their own compositions are of high quality and easily sit alongside the compositions of some fairly well-known musicians plus a few discoveries and a choice smattering of traditional material.
The singing has improved – I'm not keen on the speaking/singing style although I'm probably in a minority on this, but the songs are put over well and have been beautifully arranged. Martin Carthy's Imagined Village version of My Son John is extremely powerful, with electric guitar and effects bringing out the horror and emotion. This must be a terrific item to hear live, but I find it difficult to cope with repeated listenings on CD. The nursery-rhyme Man Of Words is also quite macabre, but the melody to which it is set is truly haunting and memorable.
One quibble – despite a fold-out sleeve and separate booklet, it's virtually impossible to discover the record label, record number and publishing details. Although some major shows may use metadata, local radio, specialist shows and probably foreign shows still do it by hand. This means that they'll not bother logging it and the royalties won't be claimed. Unfortunately this also applies to the royalties of the other composers whose tunes have been used. Small point and easy to put right. But, as I say – lovely stuff played with power, verve and pizzazz.
www.thedrystones.co.uk
Paul Burgess
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