We've only seen The Shee once before, several years ago when they were clearly very young, very talented and very grounded in traditional music. Now releasing a third studio album, their sound has evolved over time to become more distinctively Sheeish, more dramatic, and with a layered orchestration that is near classical at times.
A six piece band with flute, two fiddles, mandolin, piano accordion and electro harp, there are also three fine voices. The singers share out the lead vocals, and sing some beautiful harmonies, with Olivia Ross my pick for her purity and tone.
A well chosen set list mixed up songs and tunes of differing tempos and background, some traditional, some contemporary. Even such a well known traditional ballad as Three Knights, a tale of bridal murder found in differing versions across these islands, came over as entirely fresh when given the Shee treatment.
The band are obviously having fun on stage and in the second set that came across strongly, but it would be good to see them giving more of themselves to the audience throughout. The introductions were often all too brief, when a bit more background and some sharing of the traditions the band have come from would add to the interest. (To be fair I was feeling knackered after pulling an all-nighter for the election results, so it may have just been me feeling jaded! Or maybe the band are political junkies too....) That said they had us all right with them by the end, with the closing number of the second set (I didn't catch the name) a journey of musical styles with some emotive disharmonies thrown in.
Good to see some traditions still being adhered to, and Amy Thatcher's brief clog dance in centre stage was a highlight of the night. A band of many talents.
Oh, and next time I hope to see Rachel Newton's harp fully pimped up in yellow with black strings.... #youhadtobethere
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