While I may be most well-known for writing about progressive rock and metal, folk music has always held a place very close to my heart as there is never any room to hide and it is just so special, connected to our roots. Five years ago, I flew to the other side of the world to attend the finest folk-rock festival in the world yet cannot see myself ever going to Wacken. However, as I don’t write for any specialist folk outlets I actually don’t get sent much from outside NZ (we have some incredible folk acts down here), but there is one PR company I have worked with for years who kindly thinks of me, and when I listen to albums like this I am incredibly pleased they feel it is right to let me have it, and then I feel incredibly upset at just how far behind I am on reviewing, as this album came out in May 2021.
Banter is a trio who came together in 2015, so given they are already on their third album they are not messing around. Steeped in the English tradition, but also wanting to expand on it they are Simon Care on melodeon, Nina Zella on keyboards and vocals and Tim Walker on drums, percussion, brass, vocals and dance calling. Yep, dance calling, in some ways they are reminiscent of The Albion Band, and I note that Phil Beer (also Show of Hands of course) is a guest, as is Phil Spiers (Bellowhead, Peter Knight, Eliza Carthy etc.). Although the “Country Life” on this album, it is not that “Country Life” (one of my all time favourite SoH numbers, the lyrics are some of the most poignant ever written), and the album moves between gentle vocal numbers and instrumentals with more drive.
Nina has a wonderfully delicate voice (as well as a fine touch on piano), while Tim harmonises deftly with her, with Simon providing additional finesse, and the result is an album which is one of the most beautiful releases I have come across in some time. I can sit her and play this repeatedly, never wanting it to end, as we get whimsy with the likes of “The Unquiet Grave” alongside more powerful tales. There is just something about this which relaxes me, takes me very much to the county of my birth and has me remembering all the good reasons for living in England (as opposed to all the ones which made me leave). It is very English, with strong roots into the tradition yet also allowing the musicians to move away when the time is right. I love the slight musical digression in “Gathering Flowers”, it certainly made me smile.
The songs feel modern and not dated like some, and one can imagine everyone having a blast at their concert dancing in the aisles and having fun. I still recall a group of us dancing off to one side during a Fairport Convention concert in Salisbury more than 30 years ago and being told by Simon Nicol to come to the front by the stage and if the people seated couldn’t see then that was their fault. If I was in the UK, I know I would be checking dates to see when these guys are playing as this music is vital and there is something about this album which really calls to me. I may be late to the party, but I’m here now, and let’s dance!
Rating: 10/10
Links:
https://www.banter.band/
