Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker
Country of origin:
England
Type of music generally:
Contemporary folk and traditional folk
Status:
Final release as a duo, Seedlings All (2018)
See also:
Josienne Clarke's siteJosienne Clarke's bandcamp site
The Ectophiles' Guide's page for Josienne Clarke's solo work
Comparisons:
Josienne Clarke's solo album, Sandy Denny
Covers/own material:
Own and traditional
General comments:
Classically trained Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker make the same mix of Americana-influenced contemporary folk and traditional songs as—and Josienne Clarke's vocals strongly are reminiscent of—Sandy Denny. This isn't a bad thing, in fact it's a revelation and sounds as fresh as when Sandy Denny (and her various accompaniensts and bands) started making similar music in the 1960s. Ben walker is a terrific guitarist. Together, their music is gorgeous and glorious. And their traditional covers are stunning. (Neile)
Recommended first album:
Fire & Fortune is probably the easier to find, but my heart belongs to The Seas Are Deep
Recordings:
- The Seas Are Deep (2011)
- Homemade Heartache EP (2012)
- Fire & Fortune (2013)
- Nothing Can Bring Back The Hour (2014)
- Overnight (2016)
- Seedlings All (2018)
The Seas Are Deep
Release info:
2011
Availability:
See Josienne Clarke's site
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Josienne Clarke—vocals, recorders
Ben Walker—"everything except cello"
Guest artists:
Jo Silverston—cello
Comments:
A full album of traditional songs with the absolutely divine combination of Josienne Clarke's vocals and Ben Walker's guitar and mandolin = I'm in heaven. Really, I adore this. I could listen to her evocative and gorgeous voice forever, especially doing these traditional tunes. She makes them come utterly alive, as does the wonderful instrumentation. Wow. Almost painfully lovely. (Neile)
Homemade Heartache EP
Release info:
2012
Availability:
See Josienne Clarke's site
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Josienne Clarke—vocals, guitar (2, 4)
Ben Walker—guitars, bass, mandolins
Guest artists:
Basia (Barbara) Bartz—violins, accordion
Comments:
A four-track release of Americana-influenced country-flavoured folk. Very bluesy in tone. It pushes the limits of my interest as these just aren't my favourite styles, but I love her voice and how she uses it—and Ben Walker's instrumental talents enough that I really enjoy listening to this. (Neile)
Fire & Fortune
Release info:
2013—Navigator Records—Navigator 082
Availability:
U.K.
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Ben Walker—guitars, fretless bass, keyboards
Josienne Clarke—vocals, recorder, saxophone, kitchen floor
Guest artists:
Basia Bartz—violin
Jo Silverston—cello
Jim Moray—piano
John Parker—double bass
Ivan Mendiola—drums
Ruairi Glasheen—bodhran
Comments:
Their first label release is a mix of their own compositions and traditional songs, and it's lovely on every level. (Neile)
Nothing Can Bring Back The Hour
Release info:
2014—Folk Room Records—FRR1401
Availability:
U.K.
Ecto priority:
Recommended for soft folk fans
Group members:
Josienne Clarke—vocals, backing vocals, entor recorder, saxophone, flute
Ben Walker—acoustic guitar, classical guitar, electric guitar, mandolins, banjo, keyboards
Guest artists:
Jim Moray—piano
Ruairi Glasheen—percussion
John Parker—double bass
Sam Brookes—vocals (2)
Samantha Whates—backing vocals (3, 5, 11)
Pete Truin, Jamie Doe—backing vocals (12)
Anna Jenkins, Basia Bartz, Jessie Moncrieff, Maya Amin-Smith—violin
Charlie Stock, Anna Jenkins—violia
Jo SIlverston, Hannah Marshall—cello
Nick Malcolm—trumpet
Jim Rattigan—French horn
Amy Tuner—oboe
Ivan Mendiola—drums (8)
Produced by:
Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker
Comments:
This mostly follows the track of the Homemade Heartache EP and like that for the most part is of a little less interest to me than The Seas Are Deep, Fire & Fortune, or even Josienne Clarke's solo credited album, One Light is Gone. I enjoy the faster tracks here and love their three versions of traditional songs, and of course Josienne Clarke's stunning vocals, but on the whole this isn't my cup of tea. (Neile)
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