The Cornshed Sisters

Introduction

I finally got to see the Cornshed Sisters live yesterday, and I was not sure how to describe them. This is going to be a playlist of songs from their albums "Tell Tales" and "Honey And Tar".

I was under the impression that they were American, but they are from Tyne and Wear, which makes them even better. I tried to do some "American Gothic Cornshed Sisters" AI art, but they didn't work out as you can see:

I bought their two vinyl albums, and when I did the digital download, I found that I already had "Tell Tales" but as yet I have been unable to find the CDs, but for this, I am exploring the two albums that sound absolutely beautiful. Jennie gave me the albums in a two-for-one deal. Both albums are gorgeous with slices of darkness.

This was my review of the concert:

This is what Jennie Brewis has to say about them, and far better than my words:

The Cornshed Sisters are Jennie, Cath, Liz and Marie. Four singer-songwriters who weave together pop, folk, protest, ballad and gospel music into a unique and distinctively English style. Their subject matter ranges from romantic relationships (Drive the Car), motherhood (Waiting for Audreya), soothsaying (The Beekeeper), making pies out of people (Pies for the Fair) and a modern take on the Brothers Grimm (Jobs for the Boys). Drawing on a palette of solo and harmony vocals, piano, guitars and ukulele, they convey their stories with sensitivity and humour.

Following the release of their debut album ‘Tell Tales’, they performed a live session for Marc Riley (6music), toured the UK with The Futureheads, appeared on Radio 4’s Loose Ends and played the Glastonbury acoustic stage in Summer 2016. Their second album is currently being recorded and produced by Peter Brewis at Field Music’s Studio on the banks of the River Wear.

I love this description from their Bandcamp page

The Cornshed Sisters are less alike than these four peas you have never seen in the same pod. If they were raised as sisters it was by a Father who sang like an angel and by a Mother who loved the devil’s music. Guitar pop, folk tales, protest songs, country music, piano ballads and gospel must have all gone into the same soup from which these women supped.

So now I will share a few songs from their two albums so you can hear how good they are.

Songs Of The Cornshed Sisters

"Dresden" from "Tell Tales"

This is gorgeous, but one line struck me:

"If Bombs Were Love You Can Call Me Dresden"

I suppose the cover of the album should have given me a clue, there is darkness, sometimes mischievous, that is hidden in their songs.

"Pies For The Fair" from "Tell Tales"

This is an almost "Inside Number Nine" story, it is woven with vocals and claps, and this is perfect mischievous folk darkness. If you are here, you have to listen to this, with a warning to anyone who dresses as a rabbit.

"Honey And Tar" eponymous

This is a safe song to listen to, a little sad, but the harmonies and guitar playing are beautiful.

"The Beekeeper" from "Tell Tales"

I love the guitar riff on this, another folk tale of violently lost love when the "young man woe betide" chases a maiden, and she is killed by snakes in the grass (think), more darkness behind the beautiful sound.

"Cuddling" from "Honey And Tar"

This has quite a strident beat, but is another safe, beautiful song. I have listened to these two albums over and over, and have to thank my friend Lynn for getting me to The Old Coal Yard to see and meet the group.

"Soft White" from "Tell Tales"

Another absolute beauty with some corking bloodthirsty dark lines to close this selection, but both albums are superb.

"We're Not Hungry But Still Want to Eat.

With The Strings Of Your Flesh In Our Teeth"

Their Bandcamp Albums