Their name inspired by the poem Inversnaid by Gerard Manley Hopkins, The Wilderness Yet are an exciting and skilful new trio with Anglo/Irish roots with a sideline in Scandi folk tunes.
It may be a strange time to release a debut record with no gigs or festivals to showcase your chops in public, but this self-titled album has undoubtedly hit a zeitgeist with its subject matter, as many of us are re-learning (or lamenting the loss of) our connection to the natural world. According to the publicity notes it is, ‘a pastoral paean to trees, birds and bees but never far from sounding the warning bells about humankind’s often devastating impact on the environment.’
But as much as it takes on current concerns, the sound is more timeless: a heady mix of traditions with distinctly English-sounding vocals from former BBC Young Folk Award finalist Rosie Hodgson. She commands every song she leads and enhances the Swedish Polska instrumental Hjaltedyrkan with some ‘diddling’ (tune singing).
Rowan Piggott‘s melodious violin sweeps gorgeously across the album, and – as well as being a talented singer – he also contributes double bass. Also performing solo and in a duo with Rosie, Rowan is a past winner of Bromyard’s ‘Future of Young Folk’ Award. And that he may well be, with at least one foot in the past.
Rowan contributes tunes, songs and lyrics to seven of the thirteen tracks. He even seamlessly adds three extra verses to Hopkins’ Inversnaid (set to music and renamed The Wilderness Yet as the penultimate track). It’s a haunting and heartfelt reading with delectable harmony singing from the trio.
Finishing off the trio is Irish music scholar Philippe Barnes, whose skilful guitar playing anchors the tracks, but he also adds colour with his flute, whistle playing and vocals. Alongside his instrumental prowess, Philippe has penned three tunes, starting with the flute-led Chalice Well (paired with Rowan’s The Welcome).
A music video was released for "A Bruton Farmer" – Shadow puppets by Frances Marriott, Shot/edited by Rowan Piggott. Rowan says:
“We loved this perfectly formed traditional murder ballad which we first heard from James Patterson. Apart from the ultimate attraction of it being in 5/4, it’s a human tale which seemed to fit with the general feel of the album – two brothers who seek to control and oppress their sister through the destruction of her innocent lover, sitting alongside songs about man’s desire to treat our environment similarly.
“When we were trying to decide on which track to make a video for, it seemed like this long narrative would benefit most from illustration. We think Frances’ shadow play compliments the arrangement perfectly…”. From: https://klofmag.com/2020/07/the-wilderness-yet-album-review-video-premiere/
