A Pocket Full of Acorns

For existing fans, Ninebarrow's fourth album will not disappoint; the harmonious vocals are present and correct, as are the considered arrangements, entwining keys with cello, mandola, ukulele and percussion. Mark Tucker is back on board to produce and the duo have employed double bassist John Parker to add noticeable depth to the songs. ‘Nestledown’ is lovely, with softened vocals singing of birds and nature. Elsewhere, staple tune ‘Hey John Barleycorn’ uses droning organ to appreciate the finer pleasures of life and the piano led title-track takes us back to the Napoleonic Wars. ‘Under the Fence’ doesn't quite work; the use of a tune as familiar as ‘Cold, Haily, Windy Night’ to comment on contemporary themes is an interesting idea but jarring in this case and it is difficult to separate the current focus from the traditional story. That said, the hits are plenty. ‘You Who Wander’ is an irresistible tune full of the joy of walking and ‘Farewell Shanty’ and ‘Sailors All’ round off a very strong final third. It is all beautifully packaged with a songbook, notes and photography and the end result is another well crafted, enjoyable and generous album.