In 2018, after a five-year wait and a change in personnel, Salt House released their highly anticipated album Undersong. In 2016, Jenny Sturgeon stepped in to replace Siobhan Miller in the line-up which includes Ewan MacPherson (Shooglenifty) and Lauren MacColl (RANT).
The album was very well received, a Featured Album of the Month on Folk Radio, Neil McFadyen concluded in his review:
There’s far more to Undersong than the time Salt House spent recording on the tiny Hebridean island of Berensay, with seasoned producer Andy Bell (Martin Simpson, Songs of Separation, Furrow Collective) at the helm – that could be seen as a flowering. There’s clearly been a period of careful nurturing and refining, both in the studio and before live audiences. The result is Undersong, a highly accomplished album of wonderful music, that singles Salt House out as a trio of exceptional talent. Neil McFadyen, Folk Radio
This time around, the wait has been far shorter as they announce the release of Huam on 20 March 2020 via Hudson Records.
The new album from Salt House sees them solidify their reputation as fine interpreters of words both old and new. ‘Huam’, (scots n the call of an owl) is their third collection of songs and the second pairing with producer Andy Bell.
Songs are central to Salt House. New songs that sound as if they’ve always been here. Ancient ballads woken up. Poems given the tunes they’ve long deserved. Songs about place, politics, landscape and birds.
The trio continues their love of recording ‘on location’ with this album, taking themselves to rural Argyllshire to finish writing and recording the songs which were crafted between their homes of Inverness-shire and Shetland.
Singer, guitarist and harmonium player Jenny has a PHD in seabirds, work that often goes hand in hand with her music. In 2017, The Wren And The Salt Air took Jenny to the remote St Kilda Islands, the nesting destination for one-fifth of the world’s gannets. This also served as first-hand inspiration for The Gannets on last year’s Northern Flyway with Inge Thomson (reviewed here). Her songs are earthy and wise; she sings them with beauty and power.
Singer and guitarist Ewan brings to Salt House a wealth of understanding and experience gained from collaboration with musicians from all corners of the scene. His songs are poetic and layered; his voice plaintive and from the heart.
Fiddler, viola player and vocalist Lauren’s arrangements hold a rich, deep, darkness flecked with gold. You can hear the Highlands in Lauren’s elegant bowing, and a knowledge of how to weave around a narrative. She plays with warmth, wisdom and soul.
You’ll also hear echoes of Pentangle, a touch of Dick Gaughan, murmurs of Scandinavian and Scots, all woven into a music that’s traditional and new. The group’s meticulous attention to detail, shared passions and care for their craft sees Salt House soar.
Album pre-order Link – http://smarturl.it/huam
Salt House – Huam Tour
March 2020
13th – Leicester Guildhall
14th – West End Centre, Aldershot
15th – Storey’s Field Centre, Cambridge
18th – Cecil Sharp House, London
19th – Redruth Drapery
20th – Downend Folk Club
21st – Ruskin Mill, Gloucestershire
To note: you are able to carbon offset your purchase of Salt House products by buying a tree with your CD from https://treesforlife.org.uk/groves/80508/, there is a Salt House grove set up which is helping to rewind the Scottish Highlands, the trees will be available with your purchase and 100% of the money collected will be paid to Trees for Life, Salt House grove.
https://www.salthousemusic.com/
Photo Credit: Archie MacFarlane