Poozies

After a considerable length of absence it's back to the House once again to see a familiar name.  The Poozies have been the pre-eminent all female band on the British folk scene for 27 years now.  In that period the line up has changed several times, but has been a settled four piece for almost a decade.  Until now.  Still there are founding member Mary McMaster on electroharp and Eilidh Shaw on fiddle.  Gone is the accordion of Mairearad Green and guitar and gutsy vocals of Sally Barker.  In their stead come Sarah McFadyen on fiddle and banjo and Tia Files playing guitar.  And what a change that has made....

Three of the group took a turn at lead vocals and all are more than competent, with the childlike quality of McFadyen's voice being particularly appealing.  But this is now a band that's much more about the music than the singing. Files's guitar playing offers more complex rhythmic accompaniment than before, and the dual fiddles have created a new and exciting sound.  With less traditional material than before, and no looking back to the band's extensive back catalogue, this has the feel of an entirely new creation - and a big step forward.  A well balanced set, mixing songs and tunes, fast and slow tempos, differing styles of music.  Four performers happy to give something of themselves to the audience.  And a musical energy and imagination that brought constant surprise and delight.

A Highland walking song was transformed with Shaw's East European influences.  Sets of tunes combined traditional styles with an eclectic range of approaches.  McMaster's bass parts sound rockier than ever (something she clearly enjoyed).  There's originality throughout, with some great endings to numbers.  It's elevating stuff, with the sense of new directions to come.  And they're funny too.

The (old) Poozies are dead, long live the (new) Poozies.  Long may they continue to reinvent themselves.