If there was a prize for the most beautifully packaged album, I’d vote for this. If I was asked to vote for my favourite record so far this year, I’d vote for this. With its accompanying song book, artistic photography, and artwork, you could be mistaken for thinking that it belies the quality of the product – but Ninebarrow’s 'A Pocket Full Of Acorns' is pure quality.
Their harmonies are utterly exquisite – not since listening to Simon and Garfunkel records as a child have I heard harmony as classy as this. What strange alchemy is this? Another reviewer described them as two halves of one voice, and it’s uncanny – that’s precisely what it is – as if two soul friends met and made music.
This is my first introduction to Ninebarrow – the Dorset duo John Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere. This is the fourth album by the former GP and teacher, turned full-time musicians. 2020 was not the year the duo had planned, but they took the time to perfect their craft. Mellow, warm, reflective, steeped in the natural landscape of their native Dorset and surrounds, this is English folk at its firmest roots.
Their outstanding harmonies, high production values, poetic lyricism, and magical instrumentalism are simply remarkable. The opening track ‘Come January’ just captured my heart, while ‘Nestledown’ is a sad, mournful lyrical ballad lamenting the endangered Dartford Warbler.
This 11 track album is a combination of mainly original tracks and traditional English folk songs such as ‘Hey John Barleycorn’. With poetic references, inspirations, and true folk hero stories as muse, their creativity is fired and forced intelligently and intricately – with multi-instrumentalists Jon and Jay filling every space with the richest textures and hues.
‘Zunshine In The Winter’ really sums up the soft, still, dying light of a December day. Beautiful work altogether. The title track ‘A Pocket Full Of Acorns’, in true folk style, is based on an inspirational true story about Vice-Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood – Nelson’s second in command at the Battle of Trafalgar. The ships in the time of the Napoleonic Wars were built from mighty oaks and Collingwood was concerned that forests were being depleted. He took to carrying acorns in his pockets, planting the seeds in suitable places as he went about his business. Such foresight as we struggle to protect the planet for future generations.
Their love of nature, rambling, the stark and wild nature of the lesser cultivated English countryside is their muse, with the occasional hark to the Morris tunes and traditional melodies, to sea shanties and rolling waves.
‘A Pocket Full Of Acorns’ comes highly recommended. This one’s a keeper for sure – but if you wish to hear them “live” – there’s special streamed launch show planned for Saturday 13th March 2021. Full details on www.ninebarrow.co.uk.