JUDE EDWIN-SCOTT
Birdsong
In 2022, Jude Edwin-Scott released ‘Mackerel Sky’, an album on which each of the songs told a story, often involving a journey, journeys about specific people and also journeys undertaken by many. His latest release, ‘Birdsong’, returns to this theme, with a new collection of songs inspired by the incredible journeys people make, along with tales of his own adventures in Wales and Scotland.
Based in the North West of England, Jude is an accomplished singer-songwriter and finger-picking style guitarist who is no stranger to the recording studio, having released his first album in 1999. Employing a writing technique which encompasses narrative story-telling, think Al Stewart, alongside autobiographical musings, ‘Birdsong’ comprises nine original songs alongside new arrangements of two folk classics.
‘Balmaclellan’, inspired by the beautiful landscape around the village of Balmaclellan near Castle Douglas in the Galloway Hills, Scotland, the bucolic instrumental which opens proceedings, serves both to highlight Jude’s guitar skill and also provide a fine, atmospheric introduction to what is to follow.
His arrangement of ‘Nancy (Nancy of Yarmouth) is original and distinctive, whilst he once again pays homage to Nic Jones, as he did previously with his approximation of ‘Seven Gypsies’ on a previous album, with his interpretation of ‘Planxty Davis’, which he acknowledges as being closest to that of the latter’s version on Penguin Eggs.
‘S.O.S’, a call to rise up against leaders who act like pirates, brings a political tinge to proceedings, albeit performed with a gentle vocal delivery and far from aggressive guitar playing.
With ‘The Rose Of New Orleans’, based a true story, we see Jude delving into pre Storm Katrina New Orleans’ history by way of a narrative written from the viewpoint of man writing after losing his life, and that of his wife, during the Hurricane, the resilient rose of the title explained by “The Hurricane took us and all our roses but one.” This moving song is further enhanced by the addition of some very tasteful backing vocals from Ellen Edwin-Scott.
The three songs which reference specific historical characters exemplify the easy-going warmth of Jude’s compositions and delivery. ‘Walter Thomas’, is told from the perspective of the eponymous soldier, who, as member of the 1st/6th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment, fought at “Stockport’s Darkest Day”, i.e. Passchendaele, (curiously mis-spelt in the liner notes), and The Somme River before being mortally wounded, aged 23 on 11th October 1918 whilst breaking the Hindenburg Line. This song also provides the inspiration for Jude’s own fine willow charcoal cover illustration.
‘Amelia’, a paean to the pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart, is far removed from any of the tracks on Plainsong’s 1972 debut album. Here, Jude employs a technique of combining verses written in the first person, taking the persona of Amelia herself, with chorus/refrains directed towards her from a second person perspective, a device which works well. With Ernest Shackleton providing the inspiration for ‘Call My Name’, again Ellen’s vocals add greatly to the overall effect.
The album closes with 'The Heron' a song inspired by the beach in the Penrhos Coastal Park on Anglesey, and is another well-crafted piece, displaying to the full Jude’s impressive guitar playing.
Birdsong is a competent and assured release from a fine songwriter and accomplished guitarist, it is available as a physical CD, with lyric booklet, and also to stream and download from all digital platforms.
Birdsong