Becky and Rachel Unthank were the guest selectors on this week’s Tweet of the Day. Wren and Magpie, respectively.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s6xyk/episodes/downloads
The Unthanks: birds
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That made my day! Thanks. What a wonderful idea for a programme. I look forward to browsing through those archives.
The most surprising aspect of Tweet of the Day is the sound recordist: Chris Watson, previously of Sheffield’s avant-garde harsh industrial electro pioneers Cabaret Voltaire.
Just imagine if Genesis P. Orridge had taken up narrating CBBC story time.
Not sure if the new album has been covered here yet, so just in case:
http://www.the-unthanks.com/lines/
It’s only available from the website until the end of February when it goes on wider release, but it is predictably wonderful (though in fairness, it’s 3 discs would fit on one).
Predictably wonderful? I wonder, or are they concentrating ever the more on rose-tinted aspic memories of a past, or a number of pasts, all but forgotten bar the whimsy. I speak as someone who brought some wrath toward himself for daring to suggest an over-worthy tweeness creeping relentlessly into their repertoire. I was a fan, perhaps more of the Winterset version, thinking maybe Adrian McNally is now subtracting more from the charm of the sisters than his King Crimson/Robert Wyatt covers suggested he was adding. The description of this project sounds like a thesis for some doctorate in dusty libraries.
I await admonishment, my coat nearby.
I may to get my coat too, as I share some of your doubts about the direction the Unthanks have taken in recent years. From being a rootsy, clog-dancing folk group they have morphed into a band that makes me think of Gil Evans and prog.
The last time I saw them live, the part of the show I enjoyed most was when they sung a capella. The rest was very good too but belonged to a different genre.
I feel like a cad and a bounder to make such comments. They are so friendly and charming at the meet and greets after the shows and so very talented.
If they read this thread, they will probably relocate to Las Vegas and it will all be my fault!
You’ll both be relieved to hear that the spring tour is a back-to-our-roots affair entitled Unaccompanied As We Are. I love The Unthanks in all forms, but although I think Mount The Air is one of the great albums of this century they were in danger of becoming ‘The Adrian McNally Band’ so this should be refreshing. I have tickets for the Union Chapel show.
Bit seventies, that thread title, non?
This morning I saw a pair of great tits on my nuts and a woodpecker*
Either write your own punchline, or Moosey will be along soon to finish me off.
(*) smut aside, actually true. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a woodpecker up so close. A lovely way to start the day.