Full Review

Spiers & Boden – Vagabond

While the mighty Bellowhead deservedly continue to stride across English folk music and raise their profile of modern traditional music, John Spiers and Jon Boden still record and tour as a duo; and their unique combination of trad songs and tunes with a contemporary edge hits new heights on this excellent new album.

‘Vagabond’ is their fifth duo album, and is, as you’d expect, a mixture of songs and tunes from the English tradition, but as before they experiment and play with the songs to create grooves and rhythms unlike anyone else. Technically they’re superb, and the mixture of instrumental brilliance and musical experimentation is a great draw and makes them stand out from the crowd.

While the mixture of melodeon, concertina, fiddle and guitar may not sound all that risky, the 11 tracks here are edgy, contemporary and relevant – those who think the folk music isn’t exciting should check out ‘Vagabond’ and think again; the material may be traditional but the approach is anything but.

Spiers & Boden remain one of the finest instrumental duos in the Country, and while Bellowhead are fantastic, crowd-pleasing, festival favourites, it’s the duo discs that really highlight their qualities. An exceptional folk album.