Having only ever seen The Unthanks perform their traditional clog dancy folky main stay I was intrigued to see how they would interpret the works of Antony and the Johnsons and Robert Wyatt.
The answer was a resounding “brilliantly” from everyone who came to see them.
There’s something truly magical about beautiful lyrics sung with a Northumberland accent. It becomes haunting, melodic and moving. Add to that the skill and variety of musicians and musical instruments played during the performance and you have something utterly breath-taking to behold.
On the subject of instruments I’ve heard the saw played many times but never actually seen it. Watching one musician so adeptly switch mid song between violins and saw to create some truly ethereal sounds was captivating.
I’ve always been a huge fan of Antony and the Johnsons, I find Antony himself a remarkable person with a beautiful voice and an incredible talent for song writing. To hear his music so lovingly reimagined by a band that is obviously huge fans as well was more than a match for the original songs.
The second half of the performance focused on the works of Robert Wyatt. Someone who until this point I hadn’t realised I’ve been listening to for years. Their interpretation of “Dondestan” sung by the entire band while Becky and Rachel Unthank clog danced the melody accompanied by a trumpet was mind blowing! While their rendition of “Free Will and Testament” with its tongue twister lyrics was deftly and delicately handled to produce something ethereal and spell binding.
The entire show was punctuated by The Unthanks trademark humour and the whole performance left me moved and talking about it to anyone that would listen for days.
-Andy Farenden, Box Office Assisstant
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