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Forbidden Joe: What A Quuer Sensation

A small yet intricate offering from some very talented folk musicians. The sparse instrumentation includes appearances by tenor banjo, concertina, cello, dunbeq (a variety of goblet drum) and even trombone! The songs and tunes veer from Celtic to Eastern European and the dunbeq gives an African/Arabian flavour as well. The sultry vocals are backed with delicate harmonies. Each instrument takes a turn at leading a tune and the different qualities they bring are fascinating. The banjo will either supply strummed chords or clever arpeggios, the cello will contribute rhythmic bass lines or sweeping bowed passages. Dumore Lasses starts with the stately sound of the cello and then the banjo and concertina lay their sparkly icing on top. Trombone melds with cello to create a mournful backdrop to the excellent original song Point Me Home, a very traditional-sounding ballad. A lot of work has been put into the arrangements so that even familiar tunes are presented in a fresh way. The recording is intimate, so you can hear the keys of the concertina clicking away, giving the CD a great 'band playing in your lounge' vibe. A national tour is scheduled for Feb-March '09 - put on your trews and dancing shoes!