Reviews
Posted by Martin on 01 June 2009

Horses Brawl, the very talented Norfolk-based duo of Laura Cannel and Adrian Lever have been together for about five years. With the former on recorders and fiddle and the latter on acoustic guitar. A guest on this album is early music specialist Philip Thorby on viol. Together they produce a truly memorable sound.

Entirely instrumental, the music certainly has it’s roots in traditional folk in the broadest sense. The guest’s specialty says much as it has a very definite "early" feel. I say "feel" deliberately because Laura and Adrian cleverly re-work or indeed rewrite tunes from at least as far back as the thirteen hundreds.

On many occasions the pieces are woven together from fragments and phrases of early music that are sometimes quite disparate. In fact the breadth of the source material is fascinating, from fourteenth century Italian Court music though traditional English folk to Bulgarian wedding tunes.

The musicianship is excellent and through use of a variety of playing techniques, very varied. Tourdion, the first track is a good example of what’s to come. Blending French, Spanish and Irish tunes in a delightful interwoven composition. Track two has two fine maggots (repeating tunes), the second of which is played quite ferociously, joined by a fine Northumbrian pipe tune.
This is a great album. Don’t let any doubts about "ancient music" put you off, this is no hollow replica, this has all the wit and fire of music created yesterday.

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