From their Dorset base, Ninebarrow continue to evolve as one of the most evocative acts on the folk circuit. The duo of Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere are clearly at one with the natural environment on many levels and this astutely filters into a sound spilling over with a sensual beauty. THE COLOUR OF NIGHT evokes a spell of tranquil artistry as we are guided through the mist of eleven tracks sourced, created and exquisitely presented.
Ninebarrow take their name from a Dorset landmark, but never refrain from prolifically sharing their music with folks in every corner of the land. Acclaim has tumbled their way across the first four album releases, countless shows and many innovative projects harnessing a passion. This fifth release continues the forward motion, and sinking into the delights of this enthralling piece of immersive art reaps a sense of unison and awareness.
The album is a mixture of a trio of covers; a traditional arrangement; five original songs; an original tune and a poem re-working. Proof that Jon and Jay leave no stone unturned when pooling ideas for records. It is the work of an artist the pair have covered before that gets things underway. There is strong contemporary feel to 'House', a song by Patrick Wolf whose material appeared on the previous album. The inclusion of this song is a bequest of lockdown throwback and the ideal platform for the omnipresent gorgeous harmonies to kick in.
The second cover crops up in the second half of a 45-minute running time when the Jimmy MacCarthy song 'Ride On' made famous by Christy Moore gets the blissful Ninebarrow makeover. This song goes back a long way in the duo's introduction to folk music and gets a version that extends its presence further down the road. The final straight up borrowed song is a brave effort to pay homage to Nick Drake by putting the Ninebarrow stamp on 'River Man'. It closes the album in a similar vein to the tempo that best drives this type of music - thoughtful and considered.
Perhaps the slightly more upbeat moment on a record described more as a relaxing stroll than a frantic sprint is a loose musical adaption of a William Barnes poem. 'Among the Boughs' takes its inspiration from 'The Blackbird' and portrays the duo's influence from alternative art forms. Similarly in this sphere is the outlier track 'Kitty's Song', which is a short piano instrumental written for a dance piece with all the graceful poise of the physical art of movement.
From a traditional standpoint, Jon and Jay in their own words have 'plucked up the courage' to do a version of 'The Snow They Melt the Soonest' made famous by Scottish folk luminary Dick Gaughan. Aficionados can compare; the rest can just enjoy.
While folk music by its nature is rich in interpretation and uncovering, attention to storytelling through the original song is a vital cog. A possible standout track on this album is the telling of the Dorset tradition of offering floral tributes to the sea. 'Cast to the Waves' tunnels a similar path to much of the album, but possesses a distinct spark in the melody that resonates. The album title appears as a track in the penultimate spot with 'The Colour of Night' highlighting how darkness can be perceived with a different mindset.
Another personal inclusion is the song 'Walk With Me' that pushes the importance of a rural stroll. An activity Ninebarrow have extended by promoting their own musical walk breaks. A significant part of this song is a writing structure filtering in the words - walk, talk and sing at opportune moments. One for those who look for patterns in lyrics. The final two original songs take their inspiration from contrasting influences. 'Names in the Sky' appears as the second track and draws from birdsong identified in the garden of children's hospice in South Wales. Another fascinating find from delving deep into Ninebarrow's work. The final offering takes us back to the Dorset roots and the limestone quarrymen of an area rich in geological relevance. 'Ten Miles By Two' opens in a different way to much of the album and is quite profound in telling a story.
From a personal perspective, this is the second Ninebarrow album to get fully immersed in after 2021's A POCKET FULL OF ACORNS. Previously, it was taking a chance on an unknown artist at a folk club in the West Midlands. It is good to see a review of that night in 2018 nestled alongside other more esteemed press coverage on the band's website. Maybe another Ninebarrow show is long overdue in these quarters.
Live shows apart, there is so much depth and wealth in the recorded content. THE COLOUR OF NIGHT is a compelling project to explore, experience and ultimately enjoy. The wanderings, discoveries and folk enlightenment of Ninebarrow continues to blossom with no doubt much more to build on with the all round strength of this latest record.
