James Yorkston

I am almost embarrassed to admit that the career of James Yorkston has previously passed me by but, that having been said, I will be going back to investigate his extensive back catalogue very soon.
'Roaring the Gospel’ is a collection of previously unreleaded or rare and out of print songs but there is no sense of anything patched together or stopgap – the quality of the music shines through track after track and the gentle approach that Mr Yorkston takes to his music is consistent and beautifully presented.
This is 21st century folk at its best; wistful, gentle and mellow music enhanced by the use of oboes, accordions, banjos and describing an almost Gaiian view of his native Scotland through songs such as 'Someplace Simple’, 'Seven Streams’ or 'The Hills and the Heath’. His version of Tim Buckley’s 'Song to the Siren’ is quite unique in using both a drone and harmonising against the drone with his vocal; not easy listening but the rewards are great.
The only negative I can really find is that the soft, almost maudlin, tone is constant, even on a traditional piece like 'Blue Breezin Blind Drunk’ but then 'Are you coming home tonight?’ wafts in and gently carries you away on a honey stream. 'The Lang Toun’ is the nearest that the album gets to trad. Folk, beautifully picked and strummed and the closer, 'La Magnifica’, is simple, pure and lovely.
As I discover the wealth of talent that folk has to offer in the 21st century I have been shocked by the quality of Seth Lakeman, Derren Nauendorf and now I have to add James Yorkston to an increasing collection of modern greats.