One of the best folk albums of the past few years – James Yorkston and The Second Hand Orchestra’s 2021 The Wide, Wide River – might just be equalled by The Great White Sea Eagle, which is so much the same and so different that there might just be a new genre on the horizon.
As you can see from the artist blend, the Fife-based musician and writer (of songs and novels) is joined not only by the motley collection that is the Second Hand Orchestra (SHO) but also – in a quick head turn of a surprise – Nina Persson, formerly of The Cardigans and A Camp.
Based in Malmo, Persson’s involvement is by means of the “guest vocalist” variety, though she is as invested in Yorkston’s songs as much as he is (but walk away now Cardigans/A Camp fans if you think there might be a revisitation to those groups).
Underpinned by SHO’s distinctive, some might say unique and colourful, playing, the songs are shaped by austere humour, humanity, nature and grief.
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A primary example of the latter is A Sweetness In You, which is dedicated to Yorkston’s friend, Scott Hutchison (of the Scottish band, Frightened Rabbit), but others (A Hollow Skeleton Lifts a Heavy Wing, The Harmony, and Mary) lift the mood just above sombre thanks to Persson’s effortless evocative singing.
Odd. Beguiling. Very good. jamesyorkston.co.uk
