Spell Songs II: Let The Light In
Quercus Records – 10 December 2021
So, a quick reminder. Back in 2015, the author Robert Macfarlane published Landmarks, a “joyous meditation on land and language” (Observer, 2015). The book was, as Macfarlane explained in his introduction: “… a book about the power of language – strong style, single words – to shape our sense of place. It is a field guide to literature I love….”
In its introduction, it also highlighted a troubling issue. In his research, Macfarlane came across a worrisome fact. Words, and consequently experiences related to the natural world, were slowly disappearing from children’s vocabulary. As an example, he highlighted the “culling” of words such as acorn, catkin, kingfisher, lark and willow from the Oxford Junior Dictionary in favour of words such as blog, bullet-point, committee and voicemail. The decision to remove and add certain words was made to reflect children’s experiences today, a concerning testament to our modern world.
Macfarlane’s thoughtful reflection on language, and its slow evaporation from the language of children, consequently inspired a collaboration with artist Jackie Morris for an illustrated collection of poems, or rather spells and thoughts. Titled The Lost Words: A Spell Book (2017), it and its sequel, The Lost Spells (2020), are enchantments; intended to be shared and savoured by adults as much as by children.
Macfarlane and Morris’s work subsequently inspired the original Spell Songs album, The Lost Words: Spell Songs, back in 2019. Produced by Andy Bell and originally featuring musicians Kerry Andrew, Kris Drever, Julie Fowlis, Seckou Keita, Jim Molyneux, Rachel Newton, Karine Polwart and Beth Porter, it was a timely release. A message of hope in a fragile world; “Somewhere in you, there is now a flicker of faith,” noted Folk Radio UK’s own review, “burning slightly stronger than before, that seems to say this inspiration, this careful appreciation could just be our redeeming salvation”. Various Artists – The Lost Words: Spell Songs – Folk Radio UK
They return for this joyful follow up. Spell Songs II: Let The Light In is a rather stunning collection of songs, bringing the spirit of the words and art of Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris vividly to musical life.
There are 15 tracks on the album, each taking as their title a word or thought, relating to Macfarlane’s text and the world of nature. A reclaiming of the potency of the language and a celebration of nature. It is curious to reflect that many of these words, so rich in the earth and lifeblood of our flora and fauna, now seem unfamiliar; mystical, mysterious even.
Each song is brought to personal impact by its performer. The opening track ‘Bramble’, for example, is sung by Karine Polwart and inspired by the spell of the same name published in The Lost Words. It comes accompanied, in the beautifully produced CD booklet, by some thoughts from Polwart contemplating the world pre-Covid-19. It concludes with the evocative vocals of Julie Fowlis imitating the sound of the Song Thrush or Smeòrach. ‘Open the doors, unfolds the shutters’ sings Polwart, invoking nature to enter our urban, technologically driven own. It is an entirely mesmeric introduction to what is a delightful collection of spells.
‘Oak’, sung in the raw, earthy vocals of Kris Drever, narrates the tale of the lifespan of the mighty tree. ‘Three hundred years to grow’, he sings in a celebration of the value, both physically and spiritually, of this aged tree; in the background of the track swirl the voices of children, a poignant recording of the 2019 Edinburgh schools climate strike that was recorded by Karine Polwart, a reminder of the threat nature is facing and the important role that youth have played in pushing for change.
Drever returns on the delicate ‘Swifts’ accompanied by the sweet, harmonious voice and harp of Rachel Newton. It is a heart-warming, energised, hypnotic track, whilst Seckou Keita brings a beautifully personal insight to ‘Jay’. Inspired by both Macfarlane’s words and Morris’s images, he tells the tale of this busy little bird: “Jay, Jay, plant me an acorn. I will plant you a thousand acorns”, accompanies Fowlis. It is one of the highlights on the album, one already abundant with several charming spells.
Beth Porter brings a delicate and playful sound to ‘Daisy’. It is a sweet little song, partially inspired by Porter’s relationship and experiences with her own daughter. It is, as Porter notes, a dreamy little song with a spirited accompaniment on the ukulele. ‘Gorse’, on the other hand, is a spikier affair, reminiscent of the landscape of Dumfries and Galloway, where Porter lives. ‘Good luck, trying to force your way through gorse’, she sings over a prickly harp and cello duet.
Drever’s ‘Red is your art’ palpable captures the thrill of the fox. Perfectly evoking the earthy aspect of this most intriguing animal whilst simultaneously merging it with the fox’s fertile, eternal mythology. ‘Barn Owl’ too, with the translation of Macfarlane’s words into the language of Keita’s Senegal whilst simultaneously accompanied by the harmonies of Polwart and Fowlis, teases the mysterious nature of this wise spirit with wings and feathers.
The album concludes with ‘Silver Birch’, sung by Fowlis, which coincidently was the last spell that Macfarlane and Morris worked on for The Lost Spells before the pandemic hit. It is a song about darkness and light, about a journey through the midnight woods, but the traveller is guided and comforted by the presence of the silver birch.
Spell Songs II: Let The Light In originated at Greta Hall in the Lake District, where the musicians and Macfarlane and Morris gathered in the spring of 2021, and throughout the album, Macfarlane and Morris remain a vital presence. Involved in the writing and recording process, Macfarlane’s words are allowed to change and ripen – a reminder of the organic, community aspect of language and storytelling – whilst Morris’s gorgeous illustrations bring the magic and mystery of the natural world to vibrant, visual life.
As I write this, I am sitting at my window, watching and listening to a pair of blackbirds flirt and dance through a storm-ravaged cherry blossom. Its spindly twigs provide a skeletal stage for the birds to perform. It is an exuberant song they sing, and I feel privileged to hear it. The spells are working.
Beautifully produced by Andy Bell, Spell Songs II: Let The Light In is a timely and beguiling listen. Perhaps because of its organic and thoughtful nature, the album is at its best in the intimate and reflective listens. It is a collection to share and reflect upon. So, gather round, cherish the songs, Macfarlane’s words and Morris’s imagery and steep yourself deep in the natural world that surrounds us and prepare to be spellbound.
Spell Songs II: Let The Light In is released on 10 December 2021.
Deluxe 48 page bookpack CD. Sleeves notes by author Robert Macfarlane and illustrated by Jackie Morris.
The album is available to pre-order now:
CLICK HERE For UK and EU options
CLICK HERE For Rest of World options
CLICK HERE To pre-order a physical album direct from Spell Songs & Folk by the Oak, & for details of their limited-edition albums.
The Lost Words: Spell Songs Live Dates 2022
Jan 27th Thu – Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall – 2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G23NY
Jan 28th Fri – Perth, Concert Hall – Mill Street, Perth PH1 5HZ
Jan 29th Sat – Sage, Gateshead – St Mary’s Square, Gateshead NE8 2JR
Jan 30th Sun – Birmingham Symphony Hall – 8 Centenary Square, Birmingham B1 2EA
Jan 31st Mon – Cadogan Hall, London – 5 Sloan Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ
Feb 1st Tue – Cadogan Hall, London – 5 Sloan Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ
More details and ticket links: https://www.thelostwords.org/live/