Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
Collaboration is the mutual handshake freely given, regardless of whether in the arts or in business, in politics or in the family, life is so much more illuminating when people come together in the spirit of alliance rather than distrust, of building walls and guarding borders. The only Crossing we should find ourselves wary of are the seas, oceans and rivers that lead us to this joint venture; but the reward of common ground and friendship is passion sought and the sweet path of flourishing relationships lit for all to see.
The work of Faith Brackenbury and John Nielson is that sense of collaboration made clear, one in which the coming together from opposite backgrounds and approaches to the instruments they perform on is not considered an issue in which to fall out over or be seen as a game of one-upmanship, it is the symbolic gesture to overcome any barrier and play collectively as one; a melding of minds, souls and musical passion.
With nine original compositions of their own on Crossings, and with an enjoyable representation of Swedish Fiddler Ellika Frisell’s Fingal making up the album, the fruits of the labour of crossing between Wales and England, of establishing trust and experiencing the highs and lows together are evident, more than that they are celebrated and rejoiced in.
This first full-length album by the pair is enticing, the various aspects of genres they bring to the fore through each lively piece of expression and their revelling in the notable musical communication is a journey, a passage of industry at its very best.
In songs such as The Plastic Bridge, The Devil’s Aeronaut, Echo’s Bones, Wladfa and Fifteen, the harmony between Ms. Brackenbury and Mr. Neilson is enchanting, it leads you down a path you might have believed was impossible to navigate, that your experience with the instrumental was one blinded by knotweed and poison ivy; instead this Crossing is one that once you decide that the stile is only there to prevent the unrepentant from entering, and that the first canopy of leaves is just dressing, then what opens up before the listener is a walk through the open countryside of intelligent and beautifully created music.
A marvellous album that has been worth waiting for, Crossings is an album of high spirited warmth that has been enhanced by the wish to learn and befriend another ideal, something this world could do more of.
Brackenbury & Neilson’s Crossings is released on June 11th via Monoline Records.
Ian D. Hall