Flowers

This debut album from the trio of vocalists, multi-instrumentalists and composers Odette Michell, Karen Pfeiffer and Daria Kulesh presents an astute mix of traditional and original songs with arrangements that delight the ear. What makes the ten-song collection a special joy is the trio’s close harmony singing – so tight that you couldn’t blow smoke between them. Highlights abound, from a powerful multilingual take on the WWII protest song ‘Peatbog Soldiers’ and the hypnotic title-track penned by Michell and Kulesh (with its hauntingly beautiful instrumental refrain) to the impressively cavernous reverb, potent synth drone and chiming piano chords of ‘The Cossack’s Bride’ and the moving delicacy of Pete Seeger’s poignant anti-war song, ‘Where Have All the Flowers Gone’. Produced, mixed and mastered by Jason Emberton, who also contributes drums, strings and keys, the wonderful supporting cast includes fiddle players Katrina Davies and Phil Beer, guitarist Jonny Dyer and pianist Marina Osman.