Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
It could have been commercial suicide. In the wake of a breakthrough success, Rachel Unthank & the Winterset have not only changed the band's name to the more encompassing and curate the Unthanks, they've also made huge personnel changes. It's certainly not a strategy a marketing man would recommend, but this is a band that's always been about the art, not the commercial success. The basis remains folk music from the Northeast of England, and the fuller sound of a nine-piece band changes the backing and fills it out splendidly, with bass and drums giving a firm foundation. The focus on the singing of sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank is, if anything, firmer than before, and nowhere is that clearer than on the harrowing "The Testimony of Patience Kershaw," about child labor in the Victorian mines, or the heartbreaking beauty of the traditional "Annachie Gordon." However, although there's plenty of gloom and doom on this disc, it's leavened by some lighter spots, such as "Betsy Belle." For the most part, it works, the only real failure coming with a cover of Lal Waterson's "At First She Starts," a piece so personal that outsiders trying to find a way into it are largely doomed -- but it's a brave attempt, and says a lot about the scope and confidence of the group. Musically, there's much greater richness and variety in the arrangements now, heightening the shadings that have always been there, and bringing them to the fore, while also making it easier for a wider audience.
© Chris Nickson /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From kr133.33/month
Traditional, Composer - Adrian McNally, Producer - The Unthanks, MainArtist - RabbleRouser Music, MusicPublisher
2009 RabbleRouser Music 2009 RabbleRouser Music
Adrian McNally, Producer - The Unthanks, MainArtist - RabbleRouser Music, MusicPublisher - Graeme Miles, Composer
2009 RabbleRouser Music 2009 RabbleRouser Music
Traditional, Composer - Adrian McNally, Producer - The Unthanks, MainArtist - RabbleRouser Music, MusicPublisher
2009 RabbleRouser Music 2009 RabbleRouser Music
Adrian McNally, Composer, Producer - The Unthanks, MainArtist - RabbleRouser Music, MusicPublisher
2009 RabbleRouser Music 2009 RabbleRouser Music
Chris Price, Composer - Adrian McNally, Composer, Producer - Rachel Unthank, Composer - Becky Unthank, Composer - Niopha Keegan, Composer - The Unthanks, MainArtist - Frank Higgins, Composer - RabbleRouser Music, MusicPublisher
2009 RabbleRouser Music 2009 RabbleRouser Music
Anne Briggs, Composer - Adrian McNally, Producer - The Unthanks, MainArtist - RabbleRouser Music, MusicPublisher
2009 RabbleRouser Music 2009 RabbleRouser Music
Traditional, Composer - Adrian McNally, Producer - The Unthanks, MainArtist - RabbleRouser Music, MusicPublisher
2009 RabbleRouser Music 2009 RabbleRouser Music
Ewan MacColl, Composer - Adrian McNally, Producer - The Unthanks, MainArtist - RabbleRouser Music, MusicPublisher
2009 RabbleRouser Music 2009 RabbleRouser Music
Anon, Composer - Adrian McNally, Producer - The Unthanks, MainArtist - RabbleRouser Music, MusicPublisher
2009 RabbleRouser Music 2009 RabbleRouser Music
Traditional, Composer - Adrian McNally, Producer - The Unthanks, MainArtist - RabbleRouser Music, MusicPublisher
2009 RabbleRouser Music 2009 RabbleRouser Music
Lal Waterson, Composer - Adrian McNally, Producer - The Unthanks, MainArtist - Oliver Knight, Composer - RabbleRouser Music, MusicPublisher
2009 RabbleRouser Music 2009 RabbleRouser Music
Traditional, Composer - Adrian McNally, Producer - The Unthanks, MainArtist - RabbleRouser Music, MusicPublisher
2009 RabbleRouser Music 2009 RabbleRouser Music
Traditional, Composer - Adrian McNally, Producer - The Unthanks, MainArtist - RabbleRouser Music, MusicPublisher
2009 RabbleRouser Music 2009 RabbleRouser Music
Album review
It could have been commercial suicide. In the wake of a breakthrough success, Rachel Unthank & the Winterset have not only changed the band's name to the more encompassing and curate the Unthanks, they've also made huge personnel changes. It's certainly not a strategy a marketing man would recommend, but this is a band that's always been about the art, not the commercial success. The basis remains folk music from the Northeast of England, and the fuller sound of a nine-piece band changes the backing and fills it out splendidly, with bass and drums giving a firm foundation. The focus on the singing of sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank is, if anything, firmer than before, and nowhere is that clearer than on the harrowing "The Testimony of Patience Kershaw," about child labor in the Victorian mines, or the heartbreaking beauty of the traditional "Annachie Gordon." However, although there's plenty of gloom and doom on this disc, it's leavened by some lighter spots, such as "Betsy Belle." For the most part, it works, the only real failure coming with a cover of Lal Waterson's "At First She Starts," a piece so personal that outsiders trying to find a way into it are largely doomed -- but it's a brave attempt, and says a lot about the scope and confidence of the group. Musically, there's much greater richness and variety in the arrangements now, heightening the shadings that have always been there, and bringing them to the fore, while also making it easier for a wider audience.
© Chris Nickson /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 00:54:22
- Main artists: The Unthanks
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Rabblerouser Music
- Genre: Blues/Country/Folk Folk
2009 RabbleRouser Music 2009 RabbleRouser Music
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.