How to make the harp cool: team up with a sublime percussionist and explore the endless strands of where ethereal music can take you. Eleanor Dunsdon and Gregor Black exploit a telepathic nuance broadening minds and reaching heights derived by deploying a deft touch. Black exerts a coordinated dexterity ranging the length of the notes from brushed drums, tapped cymbals and applied bodhran. Dunsdon coaxes the harp to purr tunes of orchestral appeal. This is the musical adaption of ‘less is more’.
From a Glasgow base, the duo inspire and source their tunes from conducive places. Remote parts of western Scotland, the rugged tranquility of the west of Ireland and numerous myths of folklore leave a mark alongside the therapeutic qualities of a calm sea. In full flow, Dunsdon and Black mesmerise an audience guiding a willing mind into meadows of serenity.
These two young artists are at the outset of a hugely promising career. Dunsdon brings harp delicacies to acclaimed folk quartet Ranagri, a useful launching pad to spread the word of the fledgling duo. Live appearances occasionally sprout on the back of Ranagri as seen at Beardy Folk Festival earlier this year. Who’s up for double harp? An increasing number of folk fans who don’t mind a classical and jazz side to their menu.
This Bridgnorth show was the finale of Shire Folk’s autumn launch where invited guests get the opportunity to play three consecutive evening gigs in venues across the counties of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire. Violets Tea Room is another example of a re-imagined live music space. This retro quaint establishment located at the point where High Town descends to Low Town posted the sold out sign well in advance and locals and short hop travellers alike savoured the pleasure of a mind comforting night of esteemed musicianship.
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| Greg and Eleanor at Beardy Folk |
While the duo has enough material to sufficiently fill a headline slot, progression would benefit from a more substantial recorded offering. Currently there is only a five-track EP available in digital and physical formats with the promise of a couple of singles in the pipeline. A step-based increase in popularity is more likely than a surge with word of mouth and associated recommendation the existing approach in lieu of wide scale promotion. However talent has its own way of finding the right advocates and that is certainly not short in supply.
Instrumentals dominated the brace of sets played in Bridgnorth this evening but when utilised, the vocals of Eleanor Dunsdon more than added a mere diversion. The pair shared the informative and affable inter song chat illuminating what drives the desire to make effective and evocative music. By the time the popular ‘The Parting Glass’ closed the performance in the encore slot, a whole new posse of fans warmed to the delights of percussion and harp.
The Shire Folk ethos of creating opportunity fed perfectly into how the music of Eleanor Dunsdon and Gregor Black will widen its reach. They are an act to keep tabs on, check out what’s available online and seize any opportunities to be nourished by the live show. The Violets Room provided the perfect back drop for elegant music to linger long into the night air of this Shropshire river town.
