Karine Polwart
Country of origin:
Scotland
Type of music generally:
Contemporary folk (one album of traditional songs)
Status:
Most recent release, This Earthly Spell (2008)
See also:
Karine Polwart's siteThe Ectophiles' Guide's entry for Malinky, the band she used to play with
Comparisons:
A stronger-flavoured Mary Black, Maire Brennan, other contemporary folk singer/songwriters
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
Karine Polwart has a terrific voice. She also writes lovely contemporary folk/singer-songwriter songs. The only flaw is that she's no longer singing the traditional material she did in the band Malinky where I grew to love her. Anyone who is fond of mainstream contemporary folk will almost certainly love this solo work: strong tunes, a gorgeous, expressive voice, excellent musicianship. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)
Recommended first album:
The consensus online seems to be Faultlines is the place to start but I think I actually prefer Scribbled in Chalk. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)
Recordings:
- Faultlines (2005)
- Scribbled in Chalk (2006)
- Fairest Floo'er (traditional, 2007)
- This Earthly Spell (2008)
Faultlines
Release info:
2005—Neon Records—NEONCD005
Availability:
U.K.
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended for folk fans
Group members:
Karine Polwart—vocals, harmony vocals, acoustic guitar
Guest artists:
Mattie Foulds—drums, percussion
Corrina Hewart—electroharp, harmony vocals
Kevin McGuire—double bass
Steve Polwart—nylon, acoustic, and electric guitars, banjo
Phil Bancroft—tenor sax
Doug Duncan—trumpet
Paul Harrison—hammond
Aidan O'Rourke—fiddle
Dean Owens—harmony vocal
Emily Smith—harmony vocal
Julian Sutton—melodeon
Produced by:
Rab Noakes
Comments:
A strong collection of contemporary folk/pop music with Karine Powart's powerful, lovely vocals. My favourite tracks here are the lively "Only One Way" and "Resolution Road", and the story song, "Azalea Flower". (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)
Scribbled in Chalk
Release info:
2006—Shoeshine Records/Hegri Music—SPIT028
Availability:
Wide in U.K.
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended for folk fans
Group members:
Karine Polwart—vocals, acoustic guitar
Guest artists:
The Karine Polwart Band:
Mattie Foulds—drums, percussion
Kevin McGuire—double bass, vocals
Steven Polwart—acoustic guitar, electric guitar, vocals
Inge Thomson—piano accordion, melodica, triangle, vocals
Martin Green—Hammond, loops station, Moog, Wurlitzer
Corrina Hewat—acoustic harp, electro harp, vocals
David Milligan—piano
Kerry Polwart—glockenpiel, vocals
Strings by Mr. McFall's Chamber:
Greg Lawson—violin
Robert McFall—violin
Brian Schiele—viola
Su-a Lee—cello
Produced by:
Mattie Foulds
Comments:
Wow, Karine Polwart's voice just gets better and better. Some of this is a little too country-tinged for me, but I love tracks like the first, "Hole in the Heart", which is just so gorgeous. "Where The Smoke Blows" has a funky sound, and "Holy Moses" has particularly interesting, clever lyrics. "Baleerie Baloo" is a hauntingly beautiful song about a Scottish woman in Hungary who was transported to Auschwitz for crimes that included crying while sewing Stars of David on children's clothing. I'm also particularly taken by "Terminal Star". Intelligent lyrics, such a terrific voice, and so highly recommended for folk fans. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)
Fairest Floo'er
Release info:
2007—Hegri Music—HEGRICD03
Availability:
Wide in U.K.
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended for fans of traditional folk
Group members:
Karine Polwart—vocals, acoustic guitar, shruti box, percussion
Guest artists:
Steven Polwart—acoustic guitar, banjo, ebow
Kin Edgar—piano
Produced by:
Mattie Foulds and Karine Polwart
Comments:
I'm not a fan of the kind of contemporary folk Karine Polwart usually does in her solo career, but I loved her work with Malinky, so I took a chance on this one. I'm really glad I did, as I love this album. It's a gorgeous collection of traditional songs. The production is simple, so the focus is on Karine Polwart's powerfully evocative voice--it will break your heart with these ballads. Lovely, lovely stuff. (Neile)
