David Gibb & Elly Lucas - Up Through the Woods

David Gibb and Elly Lucas’ second album Up Through the Woods is a worthy successor to their debut Old Chairs to Mend.

The duo make good use of their native county of Derbyshire as a rich mine of inspiration for their songwriting - from the simple pleasures of taking the dog for a walk in the woods, documented in the title track, to anger at the redevelopment of a city centre (A Place Called Home); from the industrial history of the region (Jackwire and Wheeltapper) to a chance find in an antique shop (Four Poster Bath).

The addition of guest musicians has allowed David and Elly to produce a much fuller sound on this album: Elly’s song Paper Boat features her ethereal vocals, reflecting the fragility of the subject matter. The song is based over a melodeon drone, giving a rather whimsical and psychedelic quality.

Oli Matthew’s lovely clarinet playing adds to the laid back feel of The Way Through the Woods, David’s setting of a Kipling poem. Will Pound’s harmonica can be heard on the skiffle-style Waterloo Johnny, a song which tells the story of the man in the corner of every pub who has a story to tell.

The title track is sung as a round to the morris tune Old Tom of Oxford with only percussion accompaniment from Jim Molyneux. This simple arrangement is very effective.

As a whole, the album contrasts the gentle with the high-energy, the original with the traditiona,l in a way that keeps the listener interested, entertained and wanting more.