The lost words - spell songs

"The vivid, poetic nature writing of Robert Macfarlane has touched a sweet spot in the national psyche, making him a bestseller and provoking a groundswell of concern for language, landscape and history. Spell Songs sets Macfarlane's garlanded The Lost Words to music, with fresh material from the author and illustrator Jackie Morris. Playing and singing is a poly-talented eight-strong ensemble led by Scots singer Karine Polwart, the collective putting together the record during a residency in Grasmere. Several of its songs are, indeed, spells, evocations of Acorn, Heron and Kingfisher set to delicate blends of harp, guitar, cello and kora ... "Heartwood" was written as "a charm against harm" in support of Sheffield's Tree Action Groups, and the theme of ecological watchfulness returns in the closing "Lost Words Blessing", reminding us of our duty of care to future generations. A brave and magical creation".

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"Given the breadth of talents among the participating artists, the textures and arrangements are rich and varied without being overcooked. There's a freshness here that reflects the vitality of their natural sources, the totem animals that comprise their songs - the likes of kingfisher, heron, snow hared, goldfinch. Highlights include the delicate kora and guitar of Seckou Keita and Kris Drever behind Julie Fowlis's voice on 'Kingfisher', and the harp and voice of Rachel Newton's beautiful 'Acorn', featuring one of Drever's guitar improvisations inspired directly by Morris's artworks".

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"Admirers bring Robert Macfarlane's spell book to enchanting musical life ... Capturing the imagination of some of folk music's finest, the book became a touring show and now this gently reflective collection of original songs. Its noble ethics incorporate various expressions of the natural world - appreciation, protest, regret and observation - encompassing themes of animals, plants and wilderness, laced with spoken word and birdsong. With sublime voices like Karine Polwart, Julie Fowlis and Kris Drever, you're onto a winner, though the most persuasive contributor is Seckou Keita, his Senegalese kora offsetting the overriding Scottishness elsewhere".