Rachel Unthank & The Winterset
The Bairns
Rabble Rouser/ Shock


'The Bairns' is possibly the most original folk album that I've heard in the long time, and when I say 'folk' I mean it in the most strikingly traditional sense.

Strong importance is placed on the role of the voice and the story on 'The Bairns', with lead singer Unthank often simply accompanied by piano, ukulele or, on the lovely Ma Bonny Lad, only by other voices.

The songs are mostly new arrangements of traditional tunes or combinations of traditional tunes, such as the excellent Blue's Gaen Oot O'the Fashion, which references 5-odd songs. Interestingly, the chorus of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy tune A Minor Place turns up, acapella, for 23 seconds before fading out again come track 8.

The jazzy arrangements on some songs are sure to upset traditionalists, but most will realise the brilliance of giving Blue Bleezing Blind Drunk (a melancholy drinking song written from the perspective of a depressed Scottish woman) a Tom Waits-style jazz arrangement. Its touches such as these which make 'The Bairns' so wonderful - it is at once strikingly traditional, defiantly modern and completely timeless.

By the time you reach the emotional peak of Farewell Regality you will be an emotional mess from the gorgeous piano and rising fiddle playing, and the whole thing ends with the lovely Newcastle Lullaby, with its cascading vocal lines and atmospheric piano playing.

'The Bairns' will certainly not be an album for everyone - those with a dislike of traditional folk will find it unpleasant, and strict folk traditionalists may find it too progressive - but for the rest of us it's a stunningly original statement from a singer and a group well worth watching to see what they will do next to add to an already striking canon of work.

Patrick Lang.