Spell Songs, Usher Hall

The Lost Words and The Lost Spells are the two books, combining the poetry of Robert MacFarlane and the artwork of Jackie Morris, which form the inspiration for the Spell Songs project.  Bringing together a variety of top class folk musicians (mostly Scottish) to transform the words with music, and adding in Morris' beautiful illustrations as an integral element of the show.  The end result is a concert/multimedia entertainment with some unique qualities.

Eight artists grace the stage.  Karine Polwart and Kris Drever on guitar, Jim Molyneux on keyboard and percussion, Julie Fowlis with her whistles, Seckou Keita with his kora, Beth Porter playing cello and fiddle, and Rachel Newton on harp.  Every one of the septet a lead vocalist in their own right, with singing duties spread across the set.  And the eighth member of the group?  None other than Morris herself, on a raised dias at the back, painting live  with the songs.  Often this flowing creativity would be filmed and projected on to the screen above the stage, bringing to life, in a very real sense, the subjects of the lyrics.  

This is a show dedicated to nature, with various plants and animals showcased (and two of Morris' stunning illustrations of otters on large banners either side of the stage).  But it's also a celebration of beauty, of life, and with some political comment - because it is politicians who refuse to act in saving the natural world now under threat from climate change.  

It's beautiful.  Almost soporific at times - not in the sense of being boring, but of being so relaxing that the mind wants to float away, the audiovisual equivalent of a nice warm bath.

The music brings the beauty of nature to life, as you would expect from such high quality performers, and it would be unfair to pick out any single performance from what was very much an ensemble work.  Great solos and harmonies, imaginiative arrangements, and always somethign to watch on screen.  It's the kind of show where there's so much going on that you know you must have missed out at times, and want to see it all again.  Wonderful.