Usually accompanied by his Athletes, Fifer JAMES YORKSTON goes solo on “Hoopoe”, a new six track release for the Spanish label, Houston Party Records.
The initial plan was for Houston Records to release the songs that made up the disc “Fearsome Fairytale Lovers” (which was eventually released as a limited edition double-pack version of the Athlete's last album, “Just Beyond The River”) but Domino loved those recordings so much they kept it for themselves. And, who could blame them?
The six tracks presented here, though, comprise of one traditional tune – a fantastic rendition of 'Sir Patrick Spence' – along with five home-recorded Yorkston originals, including the original demo of fan's favourite, 'Heron'.
Those of you acquainted with the lush, rich tones of Yorkston (and those of you who aren't; where on earth have you been?) will feel right at home here. There's no real deviation from the Athletes sound, if anything it's more sparsity sparse, but for what he lacks in variety of sound, he more than makes up for in emotional poetry and atmospheric songwriting.
Playing all the instruments himself – banjo, guitar, accordian, drums, clarinet – “Hoopoe”, in places, revisits the Athlete's Picket Fence sound of “Lang Cat, Crooked Cat, Spider Cat”. With 'Seven Seas' and 'The Sea Song', for example, we find Yorkston in fine melodic form as he continues to effortlessly write, what seems to be, fine ancient folk songs.
'I Awoke' is a beautiful banjo-laced love song, in the same vein as 'Hotel', or 'This Time Tomorrow', from his last album “Just Beyond The River”, but it's the gentle, hushed tone of 'Bleed The Crops' that really catches the ear of this particular reviewer.
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The traditional ballad 'Sir Patrick Spens' is another unexpected pleasure. You might not know the title, but the recognisable line of: “The King sits in Dunfermline toun/Drinking the blood red wine” should jog that grey matter, especially if you're a fan of Nic Jones, Martin Carthy or Fairport Convention. An important ballad in Scottish history, 'Sir Patrick Spens' recalls the events of the death of the true Scottish Royal line, Yorkston brings the emotive tale alive in his own inimitable style. Mesmerising.
'Home To The Heron' is the original demo version of the track 'Heron', also to be found on “Just Beyond The River”. Melodically different from the album version, this little extra gives the listener the chance to hear the progression of the song from its origins to the finished article.
So, “Hoopoe” is a cracking little collection of songs from Yorkston, which, while keeping his fans happy as he and his Athletes complete their latest long-player, should cement his growing reputation as one of the most accomplished songwriters in the country. Unfortunately, “Hoopoe” is designed for the Spanish market only, though, you should, if you're quick, be able to pick it up from his website.
(www.jamesyorkston.co.uk)
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