Tom Kitching and Gren Bartley - Boundary

From the start it is very clear that these two young men really know how to play. (Tom Kitching was a finalist in the Young Folk Awards a few years ago.) It's also very obvious that they've both listened to and learned from a lot of recent stars of the Folk Music scene. As more-than-competent instrumentalists they can imitate many of the most interesting and (in the originals) startling arrangements from a range of genres.

But that's it – imitation. Very well done but it's all been done before.
It also has to be said that Gren Bartley is not a great singer. His voice is unremarkable and his delivery unconvincing.

They're already beginning to make a name for themselves but, unless they recruit a stronger lead-singer, I don't think they're going to become big stars. They need to listen to the words of traditional songs and create original accompaniments rather than merely jazzing-up the tunes and copying others.

However, as always, I urge you not to take my word for it. My opinion comes from a quite narrow taste in traditional music and other critics have been much more complimentary. Visit the Fellside website, listen to the samples there and decide for yourself.
Chris (Yorkie) Bartram
Fellside Records: FECD222 www.fellside.com