Violet Sky

Helen Gentile (Monkey See Monkey Do) and Lewis Wood (Granny’s Attic) reunite for Violet Sky, their second album of original compositions and spirited European dance tunes. Reaping cleverly from the balfolk canon the pair serve up an evocative set of dance tunes guaranteed to get even the most resistant of toes tapping. The album opens with ‘Limousin Bourrées’, a lively French traditional dance tune that showcases the enchanting pairing of clarinet and fiddle, complemented by whistle, guitar and harmonium to enrich the folk dance sound. A delightful mix of traditional tunes (such as the Swedish ‘Skrap-Ollas Polska’) and new compositions follow. Wood provides the title-track, a sprightly and playful dance, while Gentile closes with ‘Meditation’, a more reflective and at times almost unsettling, air. Violet Sky is that rare treat – an album brimming with genuine joy that celebrates tradition while introducing fresh, innovative sounds. Folk dance at its finest.