For their fourth outing, it's a slightly different Kerfuffle in the studio, sporting new guitarist Jamie Roberts. Otherwise things are much the same, albeit more refined. There are some tunes from John Playford's seminal English Dancing Master sitting cheek by jowl with songs old and much newer, some more instrumentals, and even a venture into American fiddle music, making for the typical mixed folk bag of Kerfuffle. Instrumentally, they're absolutely faultless, although they never flash their chops, preferring to let their ...
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For their fourth outing, it's a slightly different Kerfuffle in the studio, sporting new guitarist Jamie Roberts. Otherwise things are much the same, albeit more refined. There are some tunes from John Playford's seminal English Dancing Master sitting cheek by jowl with songs old and much newer, some more instrumentals, and even a venture into American fiddle music, making for the typical mixed folk bag of Kerfuffle. Instrumentally, they're absolutely faultless, although they never flash their chops, preferring to let their muscle serve the tune. They have some very sophisticated arranging talent, very evident on the gorgeous "Castleton Carol," one of those tunes that seems to almost reach to a pagan past, and the May Day song "Arise Arise." Hannah James (who also shines on accordion) has an interesting voice, often young and vulnerable, but the choice of songs plays to it, and she turns in sterling performances on "The Snows They Melt the Soonest" and the child ballad "Two Sisters," which she attacks with gusto. Roberts fits in smoothly with the other three, and the quartet brings energy and true talent to the music, with "Bonaparte's Retreat" a standout, taking Kerfuffle into previously untested American territory, which they handle with ease, bringing a near bluegrass touch to the piece at times. It's not a revolution in their catalog, but one more advance in a growing career. ~ Chris Nickson, Rovi
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