Friday 14 December 2012

Break From Tradition EP

Three Sheets T’ Wind
Break From Tradition EP



Three Sheets T’Wind is a Punk influenced Folk band hailing from Pontefract and Wakefield. They have performed alongside the likes of Shane MacGowan, The Levellers and Billy Bragg.

The band are made up of:

Johnny Dolescum (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, saxophone, tin whistle, harmonica),
Tinker Bell (accordion)
Pat O'Logical (bass)
Tricky Ricky (mandolin) and 
Loony Liam (drums, bodhrán)

Break From Tradition is a five track EP which follows on from their well regarded  Tales from the West Riding album (2009) and precedes the much anticipated release of their second album due out in 2013.

The EP kicks off with I’m-a doin’ fine a joyful accordion driven romp clocking in at a punchy two and a half minutes.

Cuddy Shaw Reach has a strong Celtic sound and is the track most reminiscent of The Pogues, a band with which Three Sheets... are often compared.

The third track Dole days tells a tale of the drunk and the disenfranchised. It starts with a Reggae(ish) introduction which gives a clear idea of the rich musical palette the band are able to draw on. The subject matter took me back to the bad old days of the early ‘80s when having no work or purpose was the norm for millions. A fashion which our current Government seems eager to revisit.

Johnny’s Army has the sound and feel of a traditional rebel song starting gently with “the last post” before launching into a reel which I suspect is a highlight of any of the bands live performances.

The last, and for me most impressive, track is Old Woolpack’s Yard. A country influenced ballad (right down to the beautifully decorative slide guitar) with Leesa May accompanying on vocals. The song is well written, well conceived and well performed and for me shows the band at its best.

Three Sheets T’ Wind are an accomplished group of folk musicians and Break From Tradition” is an EP which has left me looking forward to their next album promised for some time in 2013. Look out for them live where I suspect they are at their glorious best.

Karl Shore

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