The new slimmed-down version of The Imagined Village is a huge improvement on the rather sprawling earlier incarnation. The arrangements and instrumentation are tighter and more convincing, and the band seems to work as a unit rather than an amorphous cabaret show featuring a cast of thousands.
Eliza and Martin Carthy shared vocals with Chris Wood. Sheema Mukherjee's delicious sitar-playing provided the perfect accompaniment (how well this instrument suits 'English' folk music!) while Simon Richmond's electronic soundscapes gurgled and popped in the background, creating haunting atmospheres wholly appropriate for the songs. A highlight of the gig was Jackie Oates as guest singer, sharing vocals with Eliza in The Lark in the Morning - beautifully realised. The ubiquitous Johnny Kalsi was a bit of a show-stopper, and the phenomenal drumming of Andy Gangadeen was a revelation. The Imagined Village have achieved a thoroughly successful integration of ancient and modern - well done guys!
Oh, and Chris Wood's opening set was marvellous - his quiet intensity is extraordinarily affecting.
Sunday 24 January 2010
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