Verging on the Perpendicular

Clawhammer banjo player, singer and songwriter Dan Walsh is a prolific performer and is becoming an ever more noticeable figure on the British folk scene, and for good reason. Verging on the Perpendicular is a step on from the polished Incidents & Accidents, from only two years ago. Though that album was principally unaccompanied, the new record is even more stripped-back, in both instrumentation and production. There are some splashes of percussion and backing vocals but otherwise it's just Walsh and his banjo, not the most expansive instrument acoustically, often leaving a bare texture. But Walsh has the skills to hold the attention. His playing is as nimble and rhythmically supple as ever – just listen to bluegrass romp ‘Leave the Land’. His voice and his writing, however, get more distinctive with each release; all but three tracks here are Walsh pieces. There are strong Scots and Irish influences, but much also that isn't easily categorised, especially the instrumental numbers, which fly by in a whirl. Well worth repeated listening.