Sinsheen is Christine Kydd and Barbara Dymock- each a fine singer in her own right, now working together. They have built a reputation among roots music lovers for originality, virtuosity, rich harmonies and the livest of live performances.
Combining power, passion and pedigree, they contrast harmony vocals with light instrumental and percussive backing. Together they explore and innovate, gracefully twisting the tradition and colluding with the contemporary.
Barbara and Christine were both singers and performers from their early teens, originally meeting in Dundee in the 80’s, then briefly singing together in the all-female a cappella group “Fair Game”. Barbara was then the lead singer with the highly respected band Ceolbeg, and had already emerged as one of the leading exponents of Scottish ballad and song. Christine was about to embark on singing adventures, playing and touring with a number of harmony combinations including a successful duo with Janet Russell, and latterly with Chantan (Elspeth Cowie and Corrina Hewat).
On Christine’s recent return to the North East the two met again to enjoy each other’s company and songs. Barbara was then singing with folk divas Palaver and occasionally with tradition-bearer Maureen Jelks. She's a bit of a musical “hing-oot” and enjoys singing with anyone who asks really. Christine (equally generous with her musical favours) sings with a variety of weel-kent musos, including the fine traditional band Calluna.
It is hard to tell whether being women, or living/working in rural Angus has impacted on the music more, but what is clear is that Sinsheen transforms the music from a regional genre into a truly international musical language.
The songs of Sinsheen are a voice for the irreverent everywhere, with a brash sense of humour, but a healthy respect for the roots of traditional Scottish music. Songs vary from self-penned via trad to the odd genre-swapping version of a dyed-in-the-wool Scottish favourite. Expect fun and seriousness in equal measure, a performance extraordinarily varied and rich, songs about work, struggle, love, getting the bairn tae sleep, politics, the blues, and dreams.
What the critics said:
"The headliners are Sinsheen, traditional singers Barbara Dymock, from Dundee, and Christine Kydd, who, like the famous gingerbread, hails from Kirriemuir. You've got to love an act who have a song with the opening line: 'On Friday, I have a bridie.'" Scotland on Sunday August 2008
"Sinsheen drew such a large crowd to Festival Folk in the Oak that I was concerned the bottom bar of the pub might collapse into the netherworld of the cellar below."
"Sinsheen were glorious. Some of my favourite songs were
sung ... beautifully."
"an awe-inspiring performance, cut with two warm and engaging stage presences, and a clutch of emotionally charged songs which spoke to the heart and stirred the soul"
"scintillating harmonies, occasionally supplemented by the delicate guitar picking of Kydd or driving Bodhran of Dymock"
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
There's more to Fest'n'Furious than meets the ear. To get a taste of 2008 with free music downloads visit www. festnfurious. co. uk. This week's download is from Catriona Watt, part of the TMSA Young Trad Tour. From Lewis, Catriona won the BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year Award (2007). DOWNLOAD NOW!
This week's free download from www. festnfurious. co. uk is from our headliners, Session A9 who have just released their second album 'Bottlenecks and Armbreakers' Come and check it out...
Hey thanks for that! I hope the tour's going well for you guys. If you'd like to send me any recordings I'll give em a wee play on the show and promote your gigs for you. Cheers fr noo! Kat xxx
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Hey, if you would like your music to be considered for a feature on our site, be sure to send a couple of review CDs our way. (You can find the mailing address on our page.) We love to share new music with our readers!
Beautiful and lively vocal texture. Your voices go together so perfectly and are so expressive. Martinmas is a joy to listen to - flawlessly done. All the best, Jet
