Reviews

Horse’s Brawl
Komedia
Gardner Street
Wednesday

"Fifty years ago, early music was largely forgotten. Its rehabilitation paralleled the folk revival and a new generation of musicians is now recognising early music and folk have common roots. Opening the show, Claire Troth (soprano) and Jamie Akers (lute) performed The Death of Queen Jane, a mediaeval song Joan Baez sang in 1967, and finished with a modern pop song from Sting. Superb.

But Horse’s Brawl, classically-trained Laura Cannell and folk guitarist Adrian Lever, were better. This Norfolk duo manage to create haunting, strange but extraordinarily beautiful music with just a guitar, a fiddle and some recorders and crumhorns, blending both traditions into a unique, new style. It felt as if we were present at the birth of the first great musical movement of the 21st century. Their music is best heard live but, failing that, features on their second CD, Dindirin. Congratulations to Brighton Early Music Festival for introducing them. Bring them back soon!"

Paul Brazier

Quick quotes

"It's great stuff.....an early music group to keepan eye on"
BBC RADIO 3

"Foot-tapping folk rhythms and baroque ornamentation".
THE TELEGRAPH

"Highly experimental, technically wonderful....a fantastic and vibrant performance"
TRADITION Magazine

"Deeply entwined in the sound of medieval and traditional folk, Horses Brawl are giving a 21st century makeover to the dance music of the past"
BBC Norfolk

"Horses Brawl's music is vibrant, engaging and completely spellbinding.....I love it, one of the most exciting bands around"
Steafan Hannigan

"A fascinating progression from formal dance music to semi-improvisation that had the packed audience roaring for more"
fROOTs FORUM Album launch review