This was something of a reunion gig for Kerfuffle - they hadn’t played together since December as Hannah James has been ensconced in Helsinki for the winter on a music exchange. We made the long trip to Birmingham full of expectation, and we were not disappointed.
The band obviously enjoyed playing together again, and we were treated to a wonderfully exuberant and varied set. They played much of their highly acclaimed album ’To the Ground’ including Katie Shaw, Down by the Greenwood Side, Betty Corrigall’s Lament, the Castleton Carol and Two Sisters as well as a few old favourites including Bold Grenadier and Maggot. I was particularly pleased to hear the May carol ’Arise Arise’. Sam Sweeney introduced this as saying it was out of season! (but only by a whisker!).
Hannah mesmerised us with her clog dancing which is always a highlight of a Kerfuffle gig. There were also a few new pieces to delight us including a very lively tune (as yet unnamed, suggestions on a postcard) by Sam Sweeney. There were also some other tasters of things to come including a tune by Hannah James and Sam which will feature on an album to be released by the duo later this summer. The high spot of the night though, was a very unseasonal Christmas song - ’Lu Lay, My Liking’. The harmonies on this were beautiful and I can’t wait to hear the rest of their Yule tide set performed next winter. Wherever they play, it will be well worth the trip!