Leveret – Variations Live
Independent – Out Now
Well, here is a treat. Leveret’s Andy Cutting on melodeon, Sam Sweeney on fiddle, and Rob Harbron on concertina, have long established themselves as one of the finest champions of the English tradition. Their new album, Variations Live, marks the tunesmiths first foray into a live recording, and what a superb venture it is too.
Prophetically the recording was also one of the last few live gigs to have taken place before restrictions relating to Covid-19 hit in March 2020. Most of the album was recorded at two concerts, Kings Place and Sage Gateshead in February 2020 with the final track, Rachel Darling’s ‘Snow on the Tracks’, recorded at St George’s Bristol in June 2020 as part of a streamed gig.
Sourced from Playford, Rutherford, Leadley and many others, here is a splendid collection of fifteen tracks in total, over two CDs, the majority of which are traditional tunes handsomely arranged by the band with a few self-penned inclusions along the way.
Disc one comprises mainly traditional tunes, whereas disc two incorporates a few more original compositions. From disc one, ‘The Bull Ring / The Lady’s Bright Knot’ is a fine fiddle tune originating from William Winter, with some beautiful interplay from the three, whilst ‘Nelson Hornpipe’ does exactly what it says it does – a fiery little hornpipe, building to a sweaty and pulsating conclusion.
Over on disc two, you’ll find such lures as ‘An Italian Rant’, ‘The Wounded Huzzar’ and a version of William Mittel’s ‘Bagpipers’, but highlights include Harbron’s ‘Rain on the Woodpile / Terminus’, Sweeneys ‘Grenville Morris‘ and Cutting and Harbron’s ‘It’s a Square World / Cossack Square’. ‘Elegy for Jacques / Jacques Covemaeker’ is particularly special, a sweet plaintive tune inspired by the tragic story of the last victim of the great War.
It is clear throughout that the trio have a confident grasp on the history, but also the flavour of a tune. Compare, for instance, the bright ‘Hessian Camp’, a sprightly little dance tune to the lament ‘The Wounded Huzzar’, delivered with heart-breaking tenderness. In addition, the trio have that rare quality, a relaxed, natural sound. Listen to the enjoyment of a group of musicians so comfortable, so confident in their musical relationship that you can’t help but be charmed. The musicianship between Cutting, Sweeney and Harbron is an absolute delight.
Skilfully recorded by Leveret’s live engineer Neil Ferguson, you can really relish that unique thing just now – the much-missed sound of a real live gig. Issued in a limited run of only 1000 copies, Variations Live is exclusively for sale via Leveret’s website (leveretband.com). Hurry though as there are only a few remaining. For those unable to get a hard copy, the band have also released the album on Bandcamp (leveretband.bandcamp.com) so you have no excuses!
Variations Live is simultaneously harmonious, vital, timeless, and invigoratingly fresh, featuring three masters at work and clearly relishing the joy and companionship of playing together. For players and listeners, it genuinely doesn’t get much better than this.
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