Boss Morris - Boss Morris

Stroud-based all-female Morris dance side Boss Morris have been making waves in and beyond the folk scene, accompanied by concertina maestro Rob Harbron and acclaimed fiddlers Sam Sweeney and Miranda Rutter. For their first album they have gathered a surprising number of tunes used in their dances, the musicians performing them in their spontaneous style.

A quick look at the track list shows a good number of firm favourites for Morris dance, but tunes like Shepherds’ Hey, Jack A Lent, Constant Billy and Princess Royal are here delivered in new and fascinating ways. Concertina and fiddle lines combine to create warm harmonies that go beyond the mere melodies, as the instruments float around each other in the subtle echo of the recording room.

There are, however, some original tunes to enrich this work, like the opening Filberts, penned by Harbron, and Rutter’s Golden Blackbird Jig. The release closes with two majestic pieces, The Wandering Tune and a pretty individual version of old classic Orange in Bloom, paired to create one of the most interesting tracks of the album.

The intoxicating beauty of these dance tunes is extolled by the little twists and variations these three exceptional musicians garnish them with; the result is a sound that is, at the same time, both pleasantly traditional and stunningly fresh. This approach is exemplified by the two most remarkable tracks among the 17 on this work, the poignantly gloomy Tom Merry’s Jig and the brighter and airy The Iron Bell.

Vibrant, joyful, at the same time thoughtful and genuine, Boss Morris is both a joy for dancers and a collection of ancient tunes that every folk music fan will easily enjoy.