Other Reviews

22/08/2009

Intro

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The QP

The QP eat eclecticism for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and probably keep a snack of it handy for in-between times. It's the only conclusion to draw when confronted with a barrage folk, jazz, funk, rock and blues. And it's not as if it's perfectly blended, no there are edges here and unforeseen turns that reveal a passion for melody, and to hell with genres.

Their self-penned instrumentals are where they push the boat out furthest with Matt Crum clocking up the most songwriting credits. It's his 'Fish Fisch' that has been wowing festival audiences and having them reach for their dictionaries when they get home. It's intensely joyful riffing builds with a skittering hi-hat, guitar and Matt's melodeon before the band pile in with pinpoint bass, flute and harmonica. It's a double espresso of a track which delivers a whole lot more than one would expect from such a young outfit.

The 'Mexican Catharsis Set' needs little explanation beyond it's title, suffice to say, everyone seems to get a crack at the intense melody with Matt's soprano sax a joyful surprise. The jigs and reels keep coming with Susie Bones's (whistle) and Laurel McIntosh's (flute) playing dropping in to wonderful effect.

The fun spills over into the trad material with some familiar tunes sounding suitably enlivened. Will Pound, being brought up in the amongst Morris dancers, saves his best mind-bending harmonica riffs for 'Speed The Plough/Jolly Beggarman'. A huge talent, and present throughout, he also executes a great reed-busting didgeridoo impression for 'Hexham Farmer'.

The waters calm long enough for 'Bonny Bonny' - which Susie wrested from a Cara Dillon performance. She sings it with all the passion an anti-war song should be, with the band pumping up the drama to full effect. It's strengthened all the way, as are all the tracks, by her brother Dan's guitar.

The QP only gravitated together a short while ago and haven't wasted a second cultivating the jubilant sound captured here on their debut album: It's folk without a safety net and it suits them.

David Kushar

www.theqp.co.uk/