O’Hooley & Tidow: The Hum

This album seems apt, this being the season of all things green. Belinda O'Hooley and Heidi Tidow are partners in music and life. They seem like sterling Yorkshire women, forthright and fun, but their immigrant experience (each has an Irish-born parent) seeps through this challenging, innovative and often moving set. Producer Gerry Diver also has deep Irish roots, and his imaginative settings help lift these impressionistic chamber folk songs into the realm of the remarkable. Tidow's soft, grainy voice leads the way, occasionally joined in harmony by O'Hooley, whose warm piano anchors the music. The 10 tracks take on a range of issues, including the migrant life (Just a Note, Come Down from the Moor) , but this is no cheap sentimental journey. Their empathy for the underdog shines through, not least on Summat's Brewin', a frothy tribute to real ale, and the haunting Two Mothers. ohooleyandtidow.com
Download: Summat's Brewin', Two Mothers