Marry Waterson and David A Jaycock - Two Wolves: subdued, understated and rich in lyrical detail

“It was earthy, dreamlike, warm, powerful and jagged. It had the capacity to be both melancholic and joyful – of course Marry Waterson could tell a story.” Guitarist David A Jaycock is recalling what drew him to Marry Waterson, daughter of Lal and a scion of the major British folk family, the Watersons.

This is Marry’s third album and it is a blissful thing, albeit one that takes time to nestle home.

Waterson and Jaycock’s songs, sensitively set by producer Neill MacColl, draw from the British folk tradition but also look to American gospel and other genres.

They are subdued, understated, yet rich in musical layer and lyrical detail.

The title track, inspired by a Native American duality legend, trawls typically complex emotional terrain but there are many highlights among the 15 tracks, including Digging for Diamonds and Woolgathering Girl.