Album review: HONEY AND THE BEAR – Away Beyond The Fret

November 4th, 2023 by jason

www.honeyandthebear.co.uk [Release date 03.11.23]

Album number three from Honey and the Bear, the husband and wife duo of Lucy and Jon Hart. Like 2021′s enjoyable ‘Journey Through the Roke’, this latest album is based on Suffolk folklore and indeed ‘fret’ in the album title comes from an East Anglian term for a fog or mist coming in from the sea.

As per previous albums they are aided musically by members of Sam Kelly’s the Lost Boys Band – namely Toby Shaer (whistle, flute, harmonium, viola, fiddle), Evan Carson (bodhran, drums, percussion), Archie Churchill-Moss (accordion) and Graham Coe (cello). Another guest on backing vocals on two songs is Kelly Bayfield and her ‘Wave Machine’ album is another worth checking out.

‘Do You Keep It Underneath?’ is based on the 18th century Hadleigh gang, who were infamous smugglers and possibly the creators of the Black Shuck myth (the Darkness also tapped into this folklore!), where a killer black dog was stalking the moors. The harmonies of the Hart’s, along with Kelly Bayfield and a simple bodhran rhythm make for spinetingling listening.

‘Dear Grandmother’ is a moving song that looks at the deep connection between grandmother, mother and daughter. The theme of family is one that runs throughout much of the album, no doubt inspired by their raising of their daughter. The album closes with ‘Stay With You’, a song inspired by and dedicated to their daughter. Doubt many will listen to this and not have a lump in the throat or tear in the eye.

‘Over Land, Over Sea’ has an air of Sandy Denny in the vocals and arrangement. It could almost have been a Fairport Convention song from their Denny fronted days. The percussion on this one is simple, but very effective adding a lot to the song (as does the whistling!).

‘The Suffolk Hero’ sees Honey and the Bear add choral backing, courtesy of Pop Chorus, a Suffolk based feel-good contemporary choir. They add that extra bit of musical magic to a song based on Joshua Chard, an unlicensed pilot on Aldringham fens, who is thought to have saved over 100 lives at sea.

Elsewhere there is the jaunty ‘Finn’s Jig’, the moving ‘The Mighty Oak’…safe to say, there are highlights to be had on each song on the album and an album like this is a joy to review & listen to.

Honey and the Bear have done it again by succeeding in melding traditional songs and music with their own modern take on folk music and lyrics. It helps that their vocals complement each other perfectly and that they have top notch fellow musicians helping out as and when required. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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