As the proud player of a banjo, I love me some modern folk. Fervently representing folk rock in Belfast are the Lowly Knights who have released three EP’s. The Riffles, The Hollow and The Even Keel.
Fantastically self-described as producing ‘Grand Ramshackle Folk Opera’ (Everything is better with the word ‘ramshackle’), The Knights bring a bag-full of sea shanties for the common man, filled with passion and life experience to every live performance. 2010 EP ‘The Even Keel’ carries five tracks of seafaring exuberance produced using an inexhaustible array of instruments. The hearty group sing-alongs are a highlight, such as in ‘Burning Powder’. Who doesn’t love a good sing-along?! You will become the seventh voice joining in a rousing chorus of, “Oh so gentle!”
Track 3, ‘You Took Your Eyes Off It’, is most certainly the stand-out track. I may well have taken my eyes off it, but I couldn’t take my ears off it. Close your eyes. Imagine waking up aboard a ramshackle skiff, miles off the coast of some generic fishing village, looking out over a tranquil sea. Are you imagining? Okay, that is this song. Honestly, that is the best way I could describe this track. The peaceful, atmospheric monologue is the heart of this song, backed by traditional orchestral instruments.
Another favourite of mine is ‘This Other Boy’ which is packed with energy and passion, although less recognisable as a folk song. Overall, ‘The Even Keel’ is a fantastic production by a highly recommended group who’ve created their own niche in ‘Grand Ramshackle Folk Opera.’
◀ STANDOUT ⁞ You Took Your Eyes Off It ▶
◀ CONNECTION ⁞ Rend Collective Experiment | Laura Marling ▶
