Scotland’s Karine Polwart At Her Best

I had the pleasure of hearing Karine Polwart in concert in Edinburgh, Scotland’s at the Festival Fringe in August of 2017.

Polwart’s sound was warm, engaging and deeply expressed with several songs that commented on social issues of the day. As I listened I was taken by the sincerity in her voice often captured in pastoral musical nuances that caused me to listen intently for fear of missing a singularly critical utterance.

From various compilations, I’ve featured Polwart on Higher Ground many times. However, it is her album “Traces” that best showcases the breath of her talent and, what a fine artist she is. “Traces is her 2012 release, the fifth solo album from one of Scotland’s most celebrated and loved singer/songwriters. The album was produced by Iain Cook (one half of Glasgow band the Unwinding Hours). Supported by her two regular touring collaborators, brother Steven Polwart (guitars/vocals) and Fair Islander Inge Thomson (accordion, percussion and vocals), Polwart’s own direct musical contribution to Traces has expanded beyond her usual acoustic guitars to include Indian harmonium, floor percussion, and even modest use of field recordings. Throughout the album this core trio is sympathetically augmented by producer Cook on piano, keys and percussion, and by judicious use of guest musicians on tuned percussion and horns”. Cozy up to her album with a cup of tea in a quiet setting to best experience her lovely sound. –Jonathan