The Hall of Einar Sunday Recommendation #35

Hello and welcome to my Sunday Recommendation. Thanks for joining me. Every week I read great wildlife and nature books, stumble upon engrossing websites and hear wonderful new music. This is my chance to bring you carefully curated recommendations of all the best I’ve experienced – every Sunday. If it’s folk, or independent, or about wildlife, nature or Orkney, I may love it, and so may you.

A Pocket Full of Acorns – Ninebarrow

I’ve been enjoying the new album by Ninebarrow a great deal this month. It’s a wonderfully produced piece of work. Every aspect, from the writing, arrangement, voices, instrumentation and even the CD design and songbook are carefully chosen and beautifully harmonious. It’s testament to the relationship between musicians Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere. It’s their fourth album and a beautiful, confident collection. With sensitive piano, soaring harmonies and touches of cello, double bass and reed organ, it’s an uplifting experience which will make you want to see and hear them live.

Jon and Jay are based in Dorset and seem to have created their own wholesome alternative universe of music, performance, walks and gardens. Who wouldn’t be enchanted by that?

The 11-track album has original songs with inventive arrangements of traditional songs, lyrics inspired by the poetry of Dorset poet William Barnes and a spellbinding cover of a Patrick Wolf song.

Here’s the title track, A Pocket Full of Acorns:

And here’s a sample of the album:

I particularly like Under the Fence and John Barleycorn, but there’s not a single song you’ll want to skip. It’s exceptional. Take a listen.

That’s it for this week. I’ll be back with more recommendations of things you might adore next Sunday. In the meantime, I wish you a great week. Keep safe, everyone.

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