The female folk super-group The Shee played to an enraptured audience when they appeared at Lichfield’s Guildhall.
The six piece band played a number of their own compositions, as well as bluegrass material and gaelic Scottish and Irish songs in their concert. Acclaimed by many experts, their two albums A Different Season and the newly-released Decadence provided most of the set-list.
The band played songs such as Dick Gaughan’s Tom Paine’s Bones with the harmony singing, and the electric harp of Rachel Newton adding new layers to the songs. The harmony singing of Olivia Ross, Laura Salter, and Rachel Newton added a lot to numbers such as the Appalachian-sounding Chilly Winds and the balladry of Ged is Grianach An Latha.
The spirited instrumentals, mostly written by the group’s accordionist Amy Thatcher, added a lot to the sets, where the electric harp provided an almost dance like bass, the Mandolin of Laura Salter providing a bluegrass part, while the flute, whistles, and violins played the melody lines.
Although only two albums into their career, the group, which amongst its players includes former Radio Scotland Musicians of the year, and various nods from other folk awards, are a strong draw on the live stage.
