Artistic
duality threads right through the latest album from Devon-based folk duo
Harbottle & Jonas. Starting with the individual attributes of husband and
wife team David Harbottle and Freya Jonas, the art of storytelling pairs off
into the worlds of new writing and traditional arrangements to form a body of
work not too short of heavyweight status. THE SEA IS MY BROTHER takes an
obvious lead from the nautical world and unveils eleven tracks spanning the
shoreline of our land spinning tales of contrasting ages, outcomes and
inspirations. Whether heading in the direction of triumph or tragedy, the blending
of golden ingredients ensures the finished product is ripe for listener
engagement and satisfaction.
Eight of the eleven tracks are written by either Harbottle or
Jonas, one of these ‘Elizabeth Prettejohn’
being the sole instrumental on the album. From history, you know that songs on
certain topics are not going to end well such as ‘Fr. Thomas Byles’ (Titanic)
and ‘Lost to the Sea’ (Morecambe Bay
cockle pickers). On the other hand, ‘A
Lady Awake’ (another contemporary tribute to the 'angle of the north', Grace
Darling) and ‘Headscarf Revolutionaries’
(a successful campaign to raise standards in the fishing industry), pose as
upbeat pieces of good news, ensuring that successful stories, whether new or
old, are continually written in song for future generations to enjoy. Whatever
direction Harbottle and Jones take their work in, the content, approach and
output adds to a fascinating mix.
While there are certain demands put upon the listener,
rewards for hard-yards applied are endless. If delving deep into a folk album, admiring
two contrasting voices and losing yourself in a whirlwind of harmonium,
concertina and various stringed instruments is considered a treat, then this
album is heading in your direction.
Without soaring up to enormous highs (consistency is a valid
trait), there are several significant moments to pinpoint facets of the album.
The opening track, a non-Harbottle and Jonas write based on the Scott/Amundsen
race to the South Pole (the sole land based leaning offering) ‘Was It You’ has probably the strongest chorus on the album and
generally smooths the way for the sterner material. ‘Liverpool City’ sees the duo slip into sentimental mode with a song
based on the location of their meeting to provide a diversion from the
generally tougher content on the record.
The search for the vocal high is likely to end with Jonas' gorgeous wrap around the title track ‘The
Sea is My Brother’. In addition, no folk album is complete without a
spritely traditional number to fuel the purists and ‘The Saucy Sailor Boys’ fits the bill. The final two tracks to
complete this brief round-up are an upbeat arrangement to a poem called ‘Hall Sands’ and the closing song, ‘Saved Alone’ written by Jonas. These
are another two to put into the tragedy column, but there is an overall even
balance between light and dark across the the forty-one minute playing time.
You need not be a coastal dweller to take something from
this record. We folks from the dead centre of the country almost a hundred
miles from any seashore experience can apply a sense of imagination and spirit.
Of course, the craft and guile of Harbottle and Jonas has provided more than a
lending hand.
THE SEA IS MY BROTHER is one album not going to need a rescue mission to recover its lost treasure from the depths of Davy Jones' Locker. Just check out this latest record from a duo likely to see their standing rise in the headwind of a fulfilling release.