From: Pete Fyfe
[petefyfe_at_aol_dot_com]
Sent: 05 April 2012 19:47
Subject: Pete Fyfe: Fay Hield -
Orfeo review & sleeve
Attachments: Fay Hield - Orfeo.jpg
FAY HIELD - Orfeo (Topic Records
TSCD586)
The nice thing about the opening
track "The Lover's Ghost" is that it leaves you in no doubt that Fay Hield and
the Hurricane Party are here to kick up a storm and not meekly come in like the
wind that shakes the barley. With lyrics that are perhaps more suitable to
accompany "Wake Wood" (one of the latest Hammer Horror movies) this homage to
the Gothic strain of English ?folk' songs really propels the growing disquiet
of the piece at a cracking pace. The menacing interplay between Andy Cutting
and Rob Harbron's squeezeboxes and Sam Sweeny and Jon Boden's strings with
guest Martin Simpson's banjo tastefully added low in the mix (and no, I don't mean
that to sound derisory) topped by Hield's thrusting vocals are reminiscent of
Maddy Pryor at her towering best. In a thoroughly theatrical work-out that
places the interpretation of the song leagues above any other version I've
encountered recently it would be just reward for purchasing a copy of the album
on the strength of this one track alone. But of course in the hands of this
talented ensemble I'm pleased to report that of each of the eleven numbers
featured here there isn't a duff one amongst them. Talking of Ms Pryor, I'm
sure that Fay's singing style has been greatly influenced by Steeleye's first
lady particularly on "Tarry Trousers" where the phrasing and diction clear
delivery could have been taken straight from the vaults of Summer Solstice or Please
To See The King. This by the way is a compliment of the highest order and one
that would surely win gold if it were pitched into a vocal version of the 2012
Olympics. One final comparison (and I know how odious these can be) is the
title track "Sir Orfeo" which sounds as if it could have been lifted from Mr
Fox or Pyewackett's debut album and if you have a copy of ?that' album the
quality speaks for itself. Fay's accompanying sleeve-notes provide enough
information to make Malcolm Taylor at the EFDSS a happy man and is an
expressive and insightful pointer of a lady who proudly wears her folk heritage
as a badge of honour. Back-slapping all round methinks! www.fayhield.com
PETE FYFE