So there I was, working my way through the latest batch of downloads from Inverse when this started playing. To say that I was stunned is something of an understatement. While I thought that I was no longer surprised at what this label releases, this one caught me totally off guard. Normally Inverse concentrates on Finnish acts (although not always), and on various types of metal (again not always), so where on earth did this incredible English folk album come from? A quick check later and I discovered that this not an English group, and isn’t their first album either. Greenrose Faire have an English sounding name, and a very English sound, but when you look at the members then you realise that all is not as it seems at first: the current line-up is Salla Rimmi (vocals), Anni Latva-Pukkila (violin), Jupe Hirsimäki (Octave mandolin), Petri Hannuksela (keyboards), Niilo Sirola (bass) and Tomi Hyttinen (Drums & backing vocals).
Here is a group that are a band out of time, and by that I don’t necessarily mean the medieval period, which is obviously where they feel at home, but these guys should have been around in the early Seventies when Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, Renaissance, Fotheringay and others were being lauded as there is no doubt that this is where there main influences come from in the modern era. Salla has a wonderful voice, not as high as Annie Haslam or Maddy Prior, but with a presence such as Sandy Denny’s. The rest of the guys provide the perfect backdrop, with a special mention to Anni whose violin playing is a perfect foil, while never being over-invasive. If these guys were to go on stage with Mundy-Turner then that would indeed be a match made in heaven, with great violin from both, wonderful female vocals, with great support and instrumentation.
I notice that they have been playing virtually entirely within their own country, but if ever a band should be on the Cropredy stage then these are it! But until they get in touch with Peggy, then we need to be content with one of the most wonderful folk albums I have heard in many years. The songs are melodic and relevant, and the more I have played this the more I have become convinced that given the right opportunities these guys could be one of the major folk discoveries for quite some time. They just need to get onto the British circuit. If you enjoy acoustic or folk with great female vocals, musicianship and songs then visit www.greenrosefaire.com to find out more.
