THE SHACKLETON TRIO - Mousehold
Private Label
This is a nine-track album from the Norwich trio, with plenty of local connections in evidence. It’s a follow-up to 2018’s Fen, Farm & Deadly Water, which was reviewed in LT126 (online review). In large part it’s a continuation of the same, somewhat Americana-tinged formula, possibly with a sharper focus. The East Anglian/East of England themes are also arguably more up-front this time around: if you want to establish a Norfolk identity, mentioning Norwich at the start of the first track isn’t a bad way to do it! It’s certainly a good album if you like lyrics centred on places, characters and stories.
Most of the songs are original, although two items have Roud numbers, The Ballad Of Barton Broad (adapted from the singing of Harry Cox) and the opening No Road Across Mousehold Heath, which is a reworking of Crackshots Of Norwich, a nineteenth century warning of the risks of proximity to a firing range. There are a couple of instrumental tracks (also original) and the Norwegian composition Wackidoo is paired with the Lincolnshire tale of Byard’s Leap.
The trio is Georgia Shackleton on vocals and fiddle, Aaren Bennett on guitar and vocals and Nic Zuppardi on mandolin, banjo and vocals. The band has a clear, immediately appealing sound; it could be argued that there is a certain sameness across the tracks, but the recording presumably gives a good indication of what the band sound like live (I’ve not yet had the pleasure) rather than trying unreproducible production tricks. Good for them! You can, in any case, sample their sound via the videos on their website.
Another enjoyable offering from the trio and I recommend that you look out for the album and the band online.
www.shackletontrio.co.uk
Paul Mansfield
This review appeared in Issue 145 of The Living Tradition magazine