Henry Parker

★★★★ Lammas Fair CUP & RING. CD/DL/LP

Second album from the Yorkshire-based metal guitarist-turned-folkie.

One can tell that Parker is a serious musician from the LP’s credits, which include his guitar tunings – handy for those who know their DADGAD from their DGDGBD. What Parker does so effectively is to blend ancient with early-’70s and modern styles. You have to have some of the former or it isn’t folk music, but in these mainly self-penned songs he sings of the seasons’ cycles and of characters amid landscapes with a modern twist while retaining traditional integrity. There’s a touch of Bert Jansch about his finely articulated picking on the instrumental Blackthorn; he delivers a stark reading of the ages-old tale Death And The Lady; and on Nine Herbs Charm he deploys flute, double bass and congas in a nearjazzy groove. The song has echoes of Nick Drake, but Parker is already developing an original voice.