Mercury nominated folk ensemble The Unthanks shared the stage at Leeds Town Hall last night with National Brass Band Champions of Great Britain, Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band.
The Collaboration of Folk and Brass
The collaboration between the two bands started at BRASS 2011 , Durham’s international festival. A unique series of concerts premiered in July at Durham Cathedral, moved on to London’s Barbican and will finish at the end of September in Derby. B&R musical director Sandy Smith and Adrian McNally of The Unthanks have re-imagined the folk band’s back catalogue for brass and written new material for the project. Amongst the new repertoire is a beautiful 4 part suite composed by McNally and dedicated to his and Rachel Unthank’s recently born son, their midsummer baby George.
This collaboration between English folk and brass may, on first sight , be surprising. However, the bands are connected by their northern roots and exploration/celebration of industrial heritage. Travelling to the gig I was listening to radio reports about the unfolding tragedy in the flooded Welsh Gleision Colliery so the music of both bands, with its links to the coal mining industry of Yorkshire and Northumbria, took on deeper significance and poignancy. Amongst the songs performed during the evening was Trimdon Grange a song dedicated to the victims of the Trimdon Grange mining disaster of 1882.
Leeds Town Hall
The utilisation of Leeds Town Hall for concerts is a stroke of genius. A world away from other, more clinical venues, this beautiful baroque monument to Leeds industrial wealth dominates the city skyline. As I climbed the staircase, passing the nonchalant stone lions, to take my seat in the packed out Victoria Hall I knew it was going to be a special night. The extravagant detail of the hall’s lush interior meant it was like sitting inside a giant Faberge egg!
Rich Songbook
The soaring blood harmonies of sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank combine with the warm melancholic sound of B&R to astonishing effect. This brought an immediate tear to my eye and meant it was a bad night to wear mascara. The Unthanks songs relay poignant tales of loving, losing and surviving. They often mine the rich songbook of the coal industry or hark back to historical records- such as with the heartbreaking Testimony of Patience Kershaw. The contrast of masculine and hearty brass with pure female vocals is startling. The songs are given new depths and the northern roots of both bands are celebrated.
Folk, Brass and Swing
Chris Price of The Unthanks, who apparently entertains on the tour bus with Manhattan Transfer style makeovers of even the most miserable of songs, provided one of the most uplifting moments of the night. Given access to the musical versatility of B&R he was able to run wild with a swing rendition of Queen of Hearts – perhaps paving the way for a future big band themed tour for The Unthanks!
The Tour Continues
The tour continues until the end of September with dates in Bristol, Northampton and Derby. For anyone not able to get a ticket for this tour The Unthanks will be doing dates in December and B&R have an extensive list of engagements throughout the year.
Jacqui Taylor - I am a part-time librarian, art student and writer. Previously I have done a wide range of jobs - from selling theatre tickets to teaching ...
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