Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
In life too much emphasis is placed upon hitting gold, of opening a seam that is flawless and filled with riches beyond anyone’s comprehension, the damage wrought to the individual as they dream of the precious metal can become like a sickness, urging them onwards until the scarcity value is dominant and unfulfilling.
We all carry our own shade of value, and perhaps it is a finer seam we strike when we look to the precious nature inherent in the sturdier and cleaner premise of consistency to be found and admired in silver mining, the allure of the polished material giving a sheen of endurance to which gold cannot stand against time; that of the silverstroke, the Sølvstrøk, which just requires care in which to gleam.
Sarah-Jane Summers has never been afraid of exemplifying the refined tone and outstanding beauty to be found in the world around us, from the scarce metals that create a sense of rhythm, to the distinctive narrative to which the instruments and choirs alike sing praises of in their droves; and in her outstanding longstanding collaboration with musical partner Jhano Silvola, Sølvstrøk takes on a different kind of reality in which the music thrives, and presses onwards with a sense of glory of establishing a new sense of charming arrangement.
Across the five newly composed tracks and the equally cool traditional revivals, the pair come together once more with a grander feel to the music than perhaps has been hinted at before. The chamber orchestra demand that they have embraced with certainty and feeling captures the mood and gives players such as Kevin Henderson, Selma French, Mari Giske, Ellen Brekken, and Kaja Fjellberg Pettersen the drama of being immersed directly into the thoughts and schemes of Ms. Summers and Mr. Silvola with a extra tone of sonic direction.
Across tracks such as Number 81, Christmas Day/Da Mornin’, Morning Prayer, Miss Mary MacDonald, and the excellent In Dispraise of Whisky, the power of the music shines through, the silver that is struck is fashioned into that of a timeless piece, a forever luxury which is unspoiled, and enhanced by the artistry involved.
Sølvstrøk is proof once more of the piercing nature of the pair as they boldly take on a new appearance with an chamber orchestra adding a ferocious beat behind them; subtle, fascinating, gratifying; the silverstroke of the silver smith is forever a joy to behold.
Sarah-Jane Summers & Juhani Silvola release Sølvstrøk on April 21st.
Ian D. Hall