Personae

"Their fifth full album together is their most outwardly appealing yet. But doesn't neglect to offer something deeper too. The upbeat opening track, the traditional The Knight's Ghost positively shimmers with Kathryn's captivating vocals, Sean's strident guitar and assured backing vocals from Sam Kelly ... Still this dark tale of death and spectral encounters - in a sparkling arrangement by the duo - is reminiscent of early Steeleye. The mood switches on the second track, Independence - a touching song about a child's growing maturity and tentative steps of separation from her mother. You can clearly hear in this soaring performance why Robert's voice is oft, and favourably, compared to Kate Bush ... Kathryn [sang] Sandy Denny's towering song Solo in 2015 when she was part of the re-assembled Fotheringay ... [Here], the pair pull it off magnificently. And you'll have to pay for the album to hear it, as it's mysteriously missing from the streaming Spotify version ... Theyhavereached a peak with Personae, a fine and accessible album on the surface but built on firm foundations of skilful songwriting, world-class arrangements and performances underneath".

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"Kathryn is quite simply one of the most versatile singers on the circuit, while Sean's skills as producer and guitarist are second to none ... They're clearly on a continuing creative roll with this new collection which once again demonstrates their talent for conveying a variety of emotional moods while utilising imaginative scoring opportunities ... Like its predecessor, "Personae" opens with a setting of a traditional ballad; this time it's a tasty, jangly-rocked-up "The Knight's Ghost", where Kathryn's joined by guest vocalist Sam Kelly ... [Among the] highlights are "Seasons", on which Kathryn's bewitchingly sinuous vocal charts the progress of a romance ... While they continue to produce albums of this stature, Kathryn and Sean need have no fear of losing their reputation as one of the most assured and entertaining duos on the folk scene".