Coracle: traditional folk with a jazz and classical twist

Coracle, with support, Guinea Lane, at Ace Space, on Friday, May 19,. Review by BRIAN HARRINGTON

I will admit that the prospect of a saxophone quartet playing predominantly traditional English folk music didn't inspire me.

I was wrong.

Guinea Lane were entertaining, witty and musically excellent. Opening with their adaption of High Barbary, a traditional shanty, their 30 minute set included just two songs with vocals, John Barleycorn, and their final track Brother Can You Spare A Dime? This was all about instrumental excellence and I, for one, would be happy to see a longer set from Guinea Lane.

Coracle are Anna Tam Paul Hutchinson and Karen Wimhurst. Paul and Karen have both performed at Ace Space before as Pagoda Project. Paul is perhaps best known as accordionist with Belshazzar’s Feast, while Karen is a brilliant clarinet player, her use of a bass clarinet added a fascinating dimension. Anna is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, with two widely acclaimed albums to her credit and as Coracle they have a new album Murmuration, which was released in October 2022.

Their performance was an eclectic and brilliant mix of traditional and self-penned songs combined with superb musicianship and a fascinating mix of instruments including hurdy gurdy, viola de gamba and the fiendishly complex nyckelharpa.

They opened with Golden Glove and Swash before Anna sang in the original Gaelic a haunting song which translated as My Boatman.

an eclectic and brilliant mix of traditional and self-penned songs combined with superb musicianship and a fascinating mix of instruments including hurdy gurdy, viola de gamba and the fiendishly complex nyckelharpa

The Undaunted Female (an early demonstration of girl power) was wonderful as were the two Vaughan Williams hymns which reflect Coracle's involvement in the Pub To Pulpit project which has seen them perform in numerous churches and cathedrals.

Stoke In Uproar and the bawdy tale of John Blunt were outstanding, as was the well-deserved encore song Lovely Joan.

If you enjoy traditional folk music you will love Coracle, particularly because they use jazz and classical influences to provide a modern twist.

Quite brilliant.