Video Premiere: Melrose Quartet – Scarecrow

“The Melrose Quartet embody the kind of collaborative spirit and socially aware stance that makes folk music such an interesting, challenging and continually relevant form.”

Those are the words of Thomas Blake, taken from his review of Dominion, the 2017 album release of Melrose Quartet featuring two duos: Nancy Kerr and James Fagan and Jess and Richard Arrowsmith. Founded in 2010 and having played almost all major British folk festivals, they are well known for their strong a capella harmony singing and equally strong instrumental work. This month, on 22 September 2023, they return with their new album, ‘Make The World Anew‘ (available to pre-order now on CD – or a digital copy via Bandcamp upon release).

In that earlier album review, Thomas concludes, “This is a band who have prospered by seizing the day, by daring to do things that are slightly different, a band who are able to make old songs sound new, and new ones sound timeless.” While I’m not going to give away too much (you will be hearing a lot more about this album on Folk Radio), I will say that they appear to have taken it to another level on ‘Make The World Anew’.

Most importantly, they were able to give themselves the time and space to create something truly worthy of the energy, compassion and camaraderie this folk quartet have always exhibited. As they say in the album press:

This is the first album that saw the band dedicate an unbroken week to fully immerse themselves in the studio. Working with engineer Pete Ord, who co-produced the album with the band, they were lucky to have The Studio At Sunbeams in Cumbria for a week in the spring of 2023, and it proved incredibly conducive to the band’s creative process.

What resulted is perhaps the most uplifting and positive record in the band’s career, reflecting their joy at being able to rehearse, record and gig together again after the trials and restrictions of the pandemic, but also a desire to look for ways we can all help one another in the current world crises of climate change, war, and hostility to those who need compassion the most.

What better way to announce this album than to share their lead single and stunning video animation that accompanies Scarecrow, a song written by Lal & Mike Waterson.

James Fagan: “We are so excited about this recording, led by Jess Arrowsmith. Although most people will know it from the 1972 classic “Bright Phoebus”, where it was sung by Mike Waterson, Jess fell in love with Lal Waterson’s delivery on a demo recorded in 1971. Imagine our delight when Lal’s daughter, the multi-talented singer and artist Marry Waterson, agreed to make this video for our version! Marry has perfectly captured the sparse and powerful word-painting of the cycle of the seasons. It’s a song that will stay with us forever.”

Album Launch Concert and Live Stream details are below.

Scarecrow also inspired the vibrant cover art by Melrose’s favourite and, to this date, only designer, Lizzy Doe, which depicts a dancing scarecrow (see below).

Don’t miss their album launch concert on 23 September at St Andrew’s Church, Psalter Lane, Sheffield (limited seats left – so book soon). Presented by Live at Sam’s, the concert will also be streamed live to the world on Live to Your Living Room, making this an incredibly exciting global event. Tickets: Live at Sams | Live To Your Living Room (Live Stream).

For all upcoming tour dates, please visit https://melrosequartet.co.uk/gigs/

There is an undeniable sense of community, love, and the joy of social singing and dancing throughout ‘Make the World Anew’, and the band hopes that the energy it conveys can be both a comfort and a call to action for their listeners.