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The Unthanks Fan Reviews (3)
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Delightful Mix of Light and Darkness
The songs and poetry of Molly Drake vary from the light hearted, to the philosophical, to the downright dark. Despite her upper-middle-class background and upbringing, in similar fashion to her son (Nick), Molly had the ability, via her artistic output, accurately to reflect the ups and downs of the lives of others in a way that transcended class barriers. The Unthanks', respectful treatment did justice to the diversity and sensitivity of Molly Drake's work, the quality of which, until very recently, had passed unnoticed and unlauded, since she never performed her work in public. The combination of songs and the poetry, the latter read and recorded by Molly's daughter Gabrielle and played back between songs, worked beautifully. Suffice to say, that the unique timbre and combination of the voices of Becky and Rachel, as well as the beautiful arrangements played by the band, both suited and enhanced Molly's work. The unusual stage dressing, projected images and ethereal music played before and in the interval between the sets all served to create an other-worldly atmosphere which perfectly suited the nature of Molly Drake's music and poetry. The standing ovation that they received at the end was richly deserved: a brave project which hung together perfectly to give the audience a very special evening's entertainment.
Posted by Gary B on 30/04/2017
The Unthanks - How Wild The Wind Blows, TramShed, Cardiff - 29th April 2017
Seasonal, Chilled & Relaxing
Lovely venue although the temporary seating is quite uncomfortable. The set was a delight. Beautiful harmonies and wonderful instrumentation. What a lovely start to the festive period
Posted by Steve B on 12/12/2024
The Unthanks, The Albert Hall, Nottingham - 10th December 2024
Breathtaking performance
Even though they were unaccompanied, their stage presence was amazing. The sound was perfect - all three were in balance.
Posted by Hadders on 03/05/2019
The Unthanks, Union Chapel, London - 2nd May 2019
Rooted in the folk traditions of Tyneside, The Unthanks are built around the remarkable sibling harmonies of sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank, who grew up in a musical family steeped in Northumbrian ballads and border songs. Originally performing as Rachel Unthank & The Winterset, the group earned a Mercury Music Prize nomination for their 2007 album The Bairns before relaunching as The Unthanks in 2009. At the heart of the band alongside the sisters is pianist, arranger and producer Adrian McNally, whose inventive arrangements draw on an eclectic range of influences — from Miles Davis and Steve Reich to Tom Waits — without ever losing sight of the music's folk roots.
Over two decades, The Unthanks have built a devoted following through their fearless approach to repertoire, their warmth on stage, and an instinct for finding the human story in any song. With a catalogue that spans traditional Northumbrian material, unexpected covers and original compositions, they remain one of the most distinctive and cherished acts in British folk music.