For Claire Vine's first full album release she finds influence in the works of Peggy Seeger, Ewan MaColl and contemporary politics.
The first thing the listener will notice about ‘We Carve Our Path’ is the lack of musical instruments. Aside from some sparse usage of harp, double bass and some synth, the main instrument featured on the record is Vine’s wonderful voice.
The haunting ‘Maid on the Shore’ opens the record and Vine’s vocals are stunning as she loops her own harmonies behind her lead vocal. ‘Let No Man Steal Your Thyme’, made famous by Pentangle, features sparse double bass underpinning Vine’s vocal as she leads the listener through a warning of the perils of false love.
Overtly political, Vine delivers a timely warning on ‘Eyes Wide Open’, detailing the cost to the climate and our planet, as she rails against the poisoning of our lakes and destruction of forests for profit. ‘Lost At Sea’ deals with migration and the demonisation of people in need, issuing stinging rebukes against the policies of failed politicians Boris Johnston and Priti Patel.
Ewan MaColl’s ‘Lullaby For The Times’ is another stand out track, as is ‘Ceasefire’. The inclusion of both on the record is more than timely given current events in the Middle East.
Claire Vine is not only a very talented musician with an incredible voice, she an artist with empathy and understanding, who has the ability to translate that understanding into powerful folk music for the 21st Century.