CDr Cover

artist: Far Black Furlong release: Caerbre format: 3″ CDr, Digital year of release: 2009 label: Reverb Worship (3″), Box of Woks (Digital) duration: 19:35

detailed info: discogs.com.

If you’ve been keeping an eye on this website, you’ll know I’ve been very enthusiastic about [...]]]>

Digital Cover

CDr Cover

artist: Far Black Furlong
release: Caerbre
format: 3″ CDr, Digital
year of release: 2009
label: Reverb Worship (3″), Box of Woks (Digital)
duration: 19:35

detailed info: discogs.com.

If you’ve been keeping an eye on this website, you’ll know I’ve been very enthusiastic about Far Black Furlong‘s earlier releases. And I’m happy to say that they keep on delivering the goods, starting with this new two-track EP, released on a 3″ CDr by Reverb Worship and as digital download by Box of Woks. The physical edition is limited to 52 copies in beautiful pressed flower paper, so act fast!

The sound on this release is quite ambient, though not as abstract as on Haidd 2. A rather empty beginning with sudden crescendos sets the stage for a dark, mysterious first track, with a lead role for oboe, but other instruments providing a subtle backdrop. The musical theme is basically repeated in the second track, but quite soon, piano and other string instruments add melodic variations that make up the greater part of this track. Combined with the artwork, this EP conjures up a darkened, organic atmosphere that combines perfectly with electro-acoustic approach of the band. With every release, Far Black Furlong manages to use basically the same stylistic ingredients but put the emphasis exactly in a new place, that makes each piece refreshing.

It’s a short EP, and I can be short about it: another brilliant recording by these until now severly overlooked British masters of ambient, acoustic and classical sounds. This one deserves your full attention if you are interested in experimental ambient music in any way.

Reviewed by O.S.

Tracklist:

1. Time Lapse At Caer Din (9:03)
2. Winter Flowers, Caerbre (10:32)

artist: Far Black Furlong release: Far Black Furlong / Haidd 2 format: 2xCD year of release: 2007 label: ICR duration: 1:34:05

detailed info: discogs.com

After being thoroughly impressed by the previous EP The East Room, I kept a close eye on Far Black Furlong, one of the most promising experimental folk [...]]]>

Far Black Furlong

artist: Far Black Furlong
release: Far Black Furlong / Haidd 2
format: 2xCD
year of release: 2007
label: ICR
duration: 1:34:05

detailed info: discogs.com

After being thoroughly impressed by the previous EP The East Room, I kept a close eye on Far Black Furlong, one of the most promising experimental folk and ambient projects to come out of the UK in recent times. I was, of course, very excited about this new release, and a double one, no less. The self-titled album is actually the first full length release by the band, and for good measure, the first edition of it comes with a bonus disc, containing a reworked version of the Haidd EP, which was released on Barl Fire records in 2006.

The music on Far Black Furlong keeps the middle ground between the electro-acoustic ambient of Haidd and the improvised folk sounds of The East Room. In addition, elements both old and new are added to the mix. Poet Bryony Lees, who appeared on the Full Gathering Moon EP, starts off the album with a reading another of her poems. Now, poetry recitals are always a bit hit-and-miss for me, and I’m afraid I find the reading a bit lacklustre; it distracts from the poem itself, which is actually very good, not to mention mysterious and fitting to the music. During the recital, some new instruments are introduced into the mix as well: flute by Amanda Votta (The Floating World) and hammered dulcimer by John Letcher. Both guest artists add great depth to the soundscapes on this album, and especially the dulcimer has a very prominent role on the album.

The album is constructed as a whole, but it is divided into six seamless movements, each with its own mood. The first one, as said, features the poem, and introduces the mysterious soundscapes the make up the rest of the album. Over the course of it, we’re treated to that typical mixture of ambient soundscapes, but with solo roles for many of the instruments. The second track focuses mostly on the dulcimer, while the third has a prominent role for flute and field recordings. It gradually fades into the epic fourth movement, where dulcimer and electric guitar enter into an exciting duet. The fifth, then, features a piece of the wonderful oboe work of Mark Baigent which shone on The East Room. Accompanying it, more of Ian Tengwall‘s guitar playing, and let’s not forget Richard Moult on piano! But, underneath, the current is picking up, hinting at Andy Cotterill‘s dark ambient waves that dominate the final movement.

I find all of this incredibly rewarding. The musical depth and detail is magnificent, and rewards close listening, yet it is also strong enough to impress on a superficial going-over. Abstract though most of the music may be, there are strong thematic suggestions: the turning of the seasons and nature’s cycles, inner and outer landscapes… exactly what I love to hear in music of this kind.

Haidd 2

Then, a few words about the bonus disc. The original Haidd was the band’s most abstract piece thus far, and in that sense, Haidd 2 is a natural follow-up. In actual fact, it takes the ‘ambientness’ a step further. The original featured sections of oboe and other instruments, and parts of it were constructed in a way similar to the self-titled album reviewed here. But Haidd 2 is really stripped down, compared to that. Andy Cotterill really took the track apart and moulded it into a massive, but subtle ambient track. Both versions share the forlorn, drifting atmosphere, but the new version intensifies it through a minimalism of sound. The result is quite simply an excellent, detailed half hour drone trip – well worth the extra money for the special edition, in any case!

In short, Far Black Furlong haven’t ceased to amaze me so far. If you’re looking for thoroughly original music that seamlessly blends acoustics and electronics, folk, ambient, classical, improv, etc., etc. – this is it… Highly recommended, and one of the best albums of the year.

Reviewed by O.S.

Tracklist:

Far Black Furlong:
1. One (3:01)
2. Two (7:49)
3. Three (4:53)
4. Four (11:31)
5. Five (12:56)
6. Six (19:48)

Haidd 2:
1. Haidd 2 (34:07)

detailed info: discogs.com

[Note: The remark about the M.R. James story in the second paragraph turned out to be incorrect. There is actually no such story, and it was apparently made up by Mark Coyle [...]]]> artist: Far Black Furlong
release: The East Room
format: MP3
year of release: 2006
label: Woven Wheat Whispers
duration: 24:38

detailed info: discogs.com

[Note: The remark about the M.R. James story in the second paragraph turned out to be incorrect. There is actually no such story, and it was apparently made up by Mark Coyle of the label in a flight of fancy.]

Far Black Furlong is an English experimental (folk) music project, with a varying cast of musicians. The core members are pianist and composer Richard Moult, oboeist Mark Baigent, electronic artist Andy Cotterill and guitarist Ian Tengwall. Guest artist on this release, I assume on hurdy-gurdy, is Anne Marie Summers of Misericordia, among other mediaeval ensembles.

The East Room, inspired by an apparently unfinished story by famous English scholar and writer M.R. James, is the third release by the band, after two previous EPs. Like the earlier releases, this one proves that Far Black Furlong is a very interesting newcomer in the musical underground, operating between folk, ambient, classical and mediaeval music. More concrete than the long soundscapes of the previous EP Haidd, The East Room takes us to the mysterious chamber from the story in four movements.

During these four instrumental songs, different instruments combine to create a rich musical depiction of the mysterious atmosphere that pervades the theme of the album. Subtle touches of piano occur everywhere, and often we hear support of recorder, hurdy-gurdy, pipes, harp, and the exquisite sound of the oboe. These are trained musicians at work on untrodden ground – one of the most innovative bands I’ve heard in quite some time. Elements from mediaeval and classical music and folk are blended in perfectly with experimentation and improvisation to create something unique. The music on this album is sometimes calm (movement II and IIII) sometimes threatening and intense (the mad guitar and pipes duet on III), but always mystic and atmospheric.

It’s not an easy job to describe exactly what’s going on in these 25 minutes, but I think it’s magical. If, by any chance, you have the John Barleycorn Reborn compilation, be sure to play “The East Room V” after listening to this, because it’s a brilliant epilogue to finish off an already quite strong EP. This is one of the most impressive release I’ve heard lately, and I recommend everyone to go and check this out – I don’t think you’ll regret it! It’s only available as an MP3 download from Woven Wheat Whispers, but it comes with a high-quality booklet for home printing. Keep the name Far Black Furlong in the back of your head, I’m sure a lot more beautiful music will come from this direction!

Reviewed by O.S.

Tracklist:

1. The East Room I (7:03)
2. The East Room II (5:47)
3. The East Room III (5:15)
4. The East Room IIII (6:33)