UNDERTOW is a record born out of collaboration and decked with surplus panache to project forward the careers of three hugely talented musicians. Bella Gaffney, Holly Brandon and Kate Griffin weave in acres of artistry producing a folk album successful at linking generations and continents. The Magpies can have a fluid existence outside the studio, but once in the recording realm the trio format sparkles and shines to maximise the enhanced input.
This self-released effort is a follow up to 2020's TIDINGS. In those pre-shutdown times The Magpies were gaining traction to become one of folk music's hottest new properties. That traction is now accelerated in an eleven-track album packed to the hilt with so many fascinating facets. A trio of traditional titles rub shoulders with a pair of originally composed tunes, a quintet of new songs and a cover to turn heads. A re-interpreted pop cover shouldn't headline a folk album, so mentioning the band's almost gothic take on 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)' first makes way for the meatier material. The trio decided to end the album with this song. The conclusion has to be a brave and unique move that works.
A selected high spot on the album is the band's take on an Appalachian old timer titled 'Fall On My Knees'. This has already settled in a crowd pleasing slot via summer duo shows and demonstrates how a wide net has been cast to source songs. The other two traditional offerings have origins closer to home. 'Hares on the Mountain' is as English as you get, while 'I Will Never Marry' made the short distance across the Irish Sea and was meticulously bought to the party by Kate Griffin who arranges and sings the version.
Like all band members, Griffin has a solo focus herself and excels in the claw hammer banjo. A sound subtly detected right across the record. The world music interest she brings breathes new life in an act keen not to be constrained by local rituals and conventions. Her solo writing brings a further two songs to the party. Opening track 'Now and Then' is also sung by her, but the vocals are taken up by Bella Gaffney in 'If Time Were Money' at the heart of the album.
Gaffney does appear to be the focal point for The Magpies. Instrumentally, she brings double bass and acoustic guitar to the show. On the song writing front, the excellent and smart 'Undertow' reflects the album at its best in the early stages, while the astronomy-focussed 'Galileo' keeps the listener alert in the second half. Gaffney is the main vocalist and is also in the midst of touring and promoting a solo record. Top multi-tasking at the same time as this record gets a push. She is also there when The Magpies slim down to a duo as occurred at festivals in the summer including Moseley Folk, where some of these songs were showcased.
The duo format features Holly Brandon, one of the finest young fiddle players seen on the folk circuit for a long time. Her immense presence is felt right across the eleven tracks, and even more so in the two instrumentals she composed. The first is titled 'Solstice' and glistens in the number four slot after three songs have set the scene. The second is a trio of fiddle tunes incorporated under the title 'Colin's Set'. This is in tribute to whom they were composed for. Additionally, Brandon was credited as one of the co-writers on 'Pass Me By', which is the eleventh and final song to get a mention.
As previously referred to, Moseley Folk Festival was a good launch pad to hear Bella Gaffney and Holly Brandon introduce The Magpies. Earlier in the summer, the pair were seen in different sets at Beardy Folk Festival where Gaffney played solo and Brandon teamed up with brother George under the name Painted Sky. The autumn will be a very busy period for the whole Magpies as the trio head on the road in support of UNDERTOW. By the end of this run, the album will have become a firm favourite in many folks' collections and show that at least part of folk music's future is in the safe hands of three talented performers.