I’m back! Temporarily.
I’m starting this post on the eve of Super Thursday, the biggest day in the
publishing calendar. There is a LOT happening in the bookshop at the moment
and only so much time in the day, so much energy in the tank. My free time is
currently spent on walks (staring at birds), reading books, doing jigsaw
puzzles (mainly buying them) and… right now, watching the new series of
Colin From Accounts.
I did however get out to a gig last week, which has definitely filled up my
cup.
I’ve spoken here in the past about my love of the work of
Jackie Morris and Robert Macfarlane, both individually (both are
magicians in their own right) and collaboratively, on three gorgeous books. It
has been a real joy to be bookselling around the publication of their latest
book The Book of Birds. I have put so many copies of it into the hands
of readers, and enjoyed so many lovely discussions around the book, as well as
a couple of events with Rob and Jackie along the way. Next week I’ll be
cheerleading for it at the Wainwright Prize ceremony where it is
shortlisted.
Last Friday I was lucky to be invited to see the magnificent folk collective
Spell Songs performing at Cambridge Corn Exchange. They were
there to celebrate the release (on that very day) of their new album In Thin
Air, which has been made in response to The Book of Birds. TBOB but set
it to folk music? I’m there.
Spell Songs are a collective of 7 extraordinarily talented folk
musicians (Karine Polwart, Julie Fowlis, Seckou Keita,
Kris Drever, Rachel Newton, Beth Porter and
Jim Molyneux) put together to make music inspired by
The Lost Words. Several years, three books and three albums later and I
finally saw them performing.
I’ll be honest that I hadn’t listened to much of their music before, and this
show was such a stunning introduction.
The evening started with a scratch choir led by Ben See, who I saw
conducting the SYRINX choir at the little old
Royal Albert Hall with Stornoway back in March. The choir, with
just one rehearsal under their belt, performed a few tracks to get things
underway for the evening and they really set the tone.
Next up, Rob and Jackie were interviewed by Karine about the book. I love
hearing them both talk. They’re such a joyous, powerful, passionate, cheeky
(mostly Jackie) creative partnership and hearing them talk about their work
and their passion for wildlife (especially birds in this case) is nothing
short of inspiring.
A few minutes later the band took to the stage for the first half of the show,
performing songs from In Thin Air while Jackie painted live (with a
projection showing on stage). Watching Jackie bringing seven bar-tailed
godwits to life before our very eyes while listening to this group of
incredibly talented musicians was pure alchemy. Mesmerising, emotional, magic.
I’ve since listened to the new album a bunch, and I’ve really been enjoying
it. There’s so much variation - with each artist getting a spin on lead
vocals, different instruments taking centre stage, etc. The album follows the
flow of the book, which is separated into seven sections (Nest, Egg, Beak,
Song, Feather, Flight and Migration.)
There was a brief interlude (to stand in a queue for the ladies, obviously)
and then it was time for the second half - with the group performing their
self-proclaimed ‘hits’ while Jackie continued to bring wildlife to life on the
page. A swift, a pair of seals, acorn and oak leaf and the real pièce de
résistance, a raven painted with a raven’s feather.
All of this wonderful music was made all the better for experiencing so much
of it for the first time sat with Rob himself (perks of the VIP seats) and
having a natter about life (and birds, always birds) in between.
I implore you to catch Spell Songs live if you can, and to take a listen to In
Thin Air when you get a chance.
To find out more about the project, and to buy yourself an album (they’re
gorgeously produced) head to the
Spell Songs website.
