It's Folk Jim, but not as we know it. Their rhythmic inspirations, and even some of the material, might be drawn from traditional music, but the treatment is unique, and the result is innovative and exciting. They might be an English (and Spanish) group, but their influences comer from all over the British Isles, Europe, America, India....
While all four take their turn in introducing numbers, and all can be very funny, the undoubted leader is Joe Broughton, a virtuoso fiddler who turns his quick hands to guitar, mandolin and a bit of percussion. Also on fiddle, and an occasional turn at lead vocals, is Paloma Trigas from Galicia, while most of the singing duties fall to Dan Walsh, one of the world's great banjo players who also does his fair share of guitar work. Completing the line up is percussionist Tom Chapman.
Walsh has an enjoyable voice, and Trigas contributed a beautiful song in Spanish, but it's the quality of the musicianship and the imaginative arrangements that are UFQ's USP. Duelling fiddles, driving guitar, rapid fire banjo. How often do you get to hear a banjo sound like a sitar, or a line up of 3 percussionists and one banjo? It's constantly surprising and unpredictable music from a group of people who clearly love playing together and communicate that joy to their audience.
Underlying all the melodic fireworks, and, for me, the key to the UFQ sound, is the remarkable playing of Chapman. From his small, eclectic set up he throws out surprising beats that change, blend, strengthen and invigorate the stringed instruments, more akin to jazz drumming than conventional folk or rock. And he plays a mean djembe.
Even as subdued an audience as this one were on their feet by the end and dancing along to the energetic encore. UFQ are not to be missed.
No comments:
Post a Comment