Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker
Those who have been following the folk revival movement will already know about Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker. Both classically trained, Josienne's voice and style has been compared to June Tabor, and Ben's vintage guitar and mandolin lends the perfect musical tact. Leading lights of the emerging folk scene, reviewers for the NME were already talking about their ‘exceptional talent’ before they took the Bristol Folk Festival by storm to win the 2012 Isambard Folk Award and the wider world started to take notice.
And there really is something very special about Josienne and Ben together. Combining traditional folk credentials with honest and original songwriting and a profound musicality which leaves other musicians agape, seeing them play is an unrivalled experience; they hold the most crowded room breathless. Josienne looks very young until she opens her mouth to sing – and then her wisdom and her expressive, nuanced performance makes you wonder. Ben simply plays things no-one else could play. They have performed alongside many greats including Martin Simpson, Ric Sanders of the Fairport Convention, Kami Thompson, Emily Portman, Mary Hampton and Emily Barker. Having just seen them live, Folk Radio UK said their magic laid in their enduring presence that will bring a silence and solemnity to any crowd. But, we think Emma Harding’s Glamour Cave really captures it best:
'Ben and Josienne are a delicate, winding and unwinding proposition that requires close attention... She has this voice that's like a precision tool for making golden, ringing shapes in the air ... It's as if they pull in all the energy in the room, concentrate it in some kind of musical alchemy and then spin it into shimmering cathedrals of sound.'
Their new album, The Seas are Deep, is getting great reviews like this from Bright Young Folk:
'The Seas are Deep is a 9-track album by duo Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker. The talents of Clarke (vocals, recorders) and Walker (instrumentals) combine well, with a real sense that they have a profound musical connection.
A real highlight is Ben Walker’s masterful guitar solo, The Seas Are Deep, full of subtle changes of pace and a compelling and engaging composition. Indeed, the album is driven by Walker’s sparse yet engaging instrumental backing to Clarke’s characterful vocals which have a rare clarity; this combination is particularly evident on Black is the Colour.
Lily of the West features quality emotional storytelling with multi-layered vocals and a well-judged accompaniment from guitar and percussion.
As a well balanced duo with a subtle approach to their music, Clarke and Walker have produced an elegant and engaging album.'
The next EP, Homemade Heartache, will be out in the summer.
Visit Josienne's website here...
http://www.josienneclarke.co.uk/
For more event info and ticket info www.chapelarts.org
Advance: £7.00 Door: £8.00
