As a trio it's me (vocals, guitar, tenor guitar and shruti box), Steven Polwart (guitars, vocals) and Inge Thomson (accordion, vocals, percussion). Sometimes I also bring along Kevin McGuire (double bass, vocals), Mattie Foulds (drums, percussion), Kim Edgar (piano, vocals) and/or Jenny Hanson (violin, viola, vocals).
Scots songwriter Karine Polwart combines the economy and universality of the folk storytelling tradition with a probing intellect and compassionate lyricism. Twice winner of “Best Original Song” at the UK-wide BBC Folk Awards, she’s collaborated with alt folk balladeer King Creosote, the intellectual maverick of English folk song Chris Wood, Idlewild front man Roddy Woomble, bluegrass ace Tim O’Brien, not to mention unexpected guest appearances with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and dub-reggae legends Sly and Robbie. None of which you'd expect from a lass who grew up in the Stirlingshire village of Banknock.
Following the breakthrough success of her debut album “Faultlines”, and its lush 2006 successor ”Scribbled in Chalk”, Karine released two albums on her own micro label, hegri music, the stark and intimate trad balladry of 2007's "Fairest Floo'er" and her 2008 bittersweet collection of original songs “This Earthly Spell”.
Karine is one third of the sparky female vocal harmony trio Grace, Hewat, Polwart and one eighth of the joyous Scots-Canadian, multi-headed musical creature The Burns Unit (in which you might even find her playing drums ...)
Off the road, Karine is likely to be found tramping the roads and fields near the home in Southern Scotland, which she shares with bandmate, producer and partner Mattie Foulds, singing to herself and her wee son Arlo and looking for bullfinches and herons.
Welcome to My(wee)space
Welcome, welcome to my wee musical corner of Scotland. There are more myspace users out there than there are people in Britain, so it's a small miracle that you've landed here. Thanks for following your nose. I look after this space myself as a touring musician and mum to a small and beautiful boy, so please try to bear with me if you send me a friend request or message and I don't reply instantly (or even if a week or two goes by, or indeed by some quirk you never hear from me). I try my best but there is no hidden web-team and it takes more than just a minute or so ... and sometimes a word or two slips through ... But hey walking slow in this world is no crime, eh? Anyway, hope you enjoy the view from wherever you are.
THE BURNS UNIT
“a canny ability to blend disparate styles: from tender odes to serendipity...to jacked-up carnival rock; from MIA-esque melodica-backed protest song to a sinister, bloody ballad - the band fuse their contrasting talents and leave no signs of suture or ego” (The Skinny)
“a passionate, perceptive songwriter” (Uncut 2008)
“exceptionally subtle and melodic” (Q 2008)
"takes the heart to places few singers even know exist" (WORD 2008)
"righteous and beautiful" (MOJO 2006)
"grippingly understated storytelling" (THE TIMES 2006)
The Christmas season is near, it's time for some presents... I put up 2 previously unreleased tracks for FREE download at www.gordon-reeves.com/freedownloads
GET ON IT AND SPREAD THE GOOD WORD!
I'm wishing you wonderful days for Christmas and all the best for 2010! Cya, Gordon
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
Hello Karine, I finally got to see you live in Boston last night...you were amazing...sublime, and it brought tears to my eyes to hear you sing. I feel so lucky that you came to Boston...it made my Christmas special! Congratulations to you and your husband, and I hope you are enjoying our Boston snow. Merry Christmas! Barbara
Hi Karine, just dropping by to say how much I'm loving your track with Corrina on the Sandy Wright CD.
Until I see the words written in front of me I'm not entirely sure what 'Fourteen Hands' is all about...but the song and the arrangement is grand indeed. As is the whole album...you were right about Sandy. How can such an immense songwriter remain hidden for so long?
Just thought you might be interested in this website:
www.anydecentmusic.com
It's essentially a music review aggregation service, providing a constantly updated chart of critical reaction to releases, with various ways for users to personalise the chart.
We're hoping the site will be another useful way for music lovers to find new music. So if you like it, please use it and also pass on the link.
"DJ Monkey …soul-stirring, excitingly edgy music…just disturbing (read ‘mind-f**king’) enough to demand attention. There is a whole spice rack of auditory flavors here, served up like fractured poetry on a collection of intensely listenable Hallmark cards from Hell." Bill Margold, Cinema Seen, L.A. X..Press
THANKS FOR THE FRIENDSHIP & SUPPORT, IF YOU GET A CHANCE, STOP BY MY SITE AND GIVE A LISTEN AND WRITE A COMMENT ON WHAT YOU THINK. BEST WISHES, MICHAEL