Mary Humphreys and Anahata

Tom Bell-Richards, Shire Folk May-Aug 2005

Mary Humphreys and Anahata

Floating Verses

(Wildgoose Records WGS 322 CD) This CD is a fine companion to Mary & Anahata's Sharp Practice (WGS312, 2003.) Mary Humphreys sings English folk songs with a genuine feel of a continuous tradition, as if a "folk revival" had never been necessary. Floating Verses refers to those words that pop up in more than one song, but the concept has not been over worked here. Extensive sleeve notes about the songs are also on the [WildGoose] website. There's sensitive accompaniment from Mary's own concertina and her suitably mournful English finger-style banjo, plus Anahata's melodeon and cello, and they play three tunes sets as well. If restricted to just one of the CD's I'd choose Sharp Practice but recommend this one to follow.

Tom Bell-Richards
Shire Folk May-August 2005