Living Tradition review of Dark Pearls

"Christine Kydd has a lovely expressive voice. She exhibits her fine singing style and guitar playing in this, her latest recording.She is accompanied by Lorraine Jordan on backing vocals, bouzouki, and percussion.

Subtitled 'from the carrying stream of Scots traditional ballad and song', she fittingly begins with a hauntingly short version of Lord Gregory. The bulk of her material is mined from the traditional vein; the one exception being Iain Sinclair's stirring song King's Shilling. She cleverly pairs Jenny Nettles with an old favourite, Fause, Fause. In this way, she gives strong voice to the jilted woman's point of view, and gives strong contrast to the gossipy attitude of Jenny Nettles.

A song to raise the short hairs on the back of your neck is Capernaum. A lament-like tune and equally dark lyrics are combined in a slightly spooky arrangement for voices alone. In a jollier mood is The Rovin Ploughboy. Its simple setting suits it perfectly. It's easy to sing along and, when it ends, you can't help wishing there were a couple more verses to it.

It's a beautiful recording, alternately chilling and cheery, well balanced, exquisitely sung and altogether enjoyable."

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