The Colour of Amber

Following his terrific Nick Hart Sings… series, award-winning folk singer, musician and steward of English folk song Hart returns in a collaboration with the equally gifted Tom Moore on the rather gorgeous The Colour of Amber. Comprising ten traditional songs and tunes, the majority familiar to folk audiences, Hart and Moore skilfully deliver a listening experience which highlights the vitality, pliability and sheer pleasure of English folk song (with Scottish tune ‘Flowers of Edinburgh’ thrown in for good measure). Harmonium, viola and voice are the key sounds on a tour through familiar folk songs and tunes, including ‘The Raggle Taggle Gypsies’, ‘Bold Riley’ and ‘Swaggering Boney’. The Colour of Amber continues that long tradition of trad folk reinvention which cleverly explores the original song but finds room to mine notes and echoes from more recent practitioners – the influence of Martin Carthy is evident on ‘Three Jolly Sneaksmen’ and ‘The Jolly Bold Robber’ generously incorporates elements from John Kirkpatrick’s version. Hart and Moore are masters of their game, adeptly breathing new life into the familiar with an enchanting and atmospheric purity. Rarely do interpretations of traditional folk reach such astuteness and engagement. The result is nothing short of superb.