Burd Ellen - A Tarot Of The Green Wood (Mavis)

What Your Ears Say & The Cover Looks Like

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What We Say

Nice to see Burd Ellen kicking off their new Mavis label in fine, typically alt-folk style; as they guide traditional songs through unfamiliar, experimental & drone soaked realms; muddying the waters between the fathomable & arcane as befits this tarot inspired recording.

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What The Release Notes Say

A Tarot Of The Green Wood is the third studio album
from Burd Ellen, a Glasgow-based project featuring Debbie Armour (Alasdair Roberts, Green Ribbons) and Gayle Brogan (Pefkin, Electroscope).

Developed on residency at Sage Gateshead, the album explores ideas of transmission, memory and hidden meaning. Debbie Armour says “I’m a long time collector and lover of tarot, and I’ve recently become drawn to the idea of finding parallels between interpretation of traditional song and the art of divination. Gayle and I have brought together a new collection of songs that reflect the ideas, archetypes and imagery of the Major Arcana." The album also features guest appearances from Irish piper Ian Lynch (Fire Draw Near, Lankum) and Newcastle based composer Mark Wardlaw (Kenosist, The Old Police House). Six of the seven works are based on
traditional song, and the closing track is an expansive cover version of an Alasdair Roberts piece.

Burd Ellen have also rekindled old collaborative relationships, with producer and engineer Jim McEwan back in the driving seat. They have also worked again with Scottish artist Kieran Milne to make The Green Wood Tarot come to life. There is a limited print edition of the card set available, as well as it adorning the inner sleeve of the 6 page CD fold out.

A Tarot Of The Green Wood is the first release on Debbie Armour's new label Mavis Recordings

CREDITS
Burd Ellen are: Debbie Armour & Gayle Brogan

All tracks Trad, arr Burd Ellen; 
except 7 - written by Alasdair Roberts (copyright control) Arr Roberts/Burd Ellen

Recorded at Solas Sound, Glasgow
Engineered, mixed & mastered by Jim McEwan

Produced by Jim McEwan with Debbie Armour

Vocals by Debbie Armour
Ensoniq Mirage & Piano by Jim McEwan
All other sounds by Gayle Brogan

4 - Pipes by Ian Lynch
Ian Lynch appears courtesy of Rough Trade Records
6 - Vocals by Debbie Armour, Gayle Brogan & Mark Wardlaw

Artwork by Kieran Milne

Mavis Recordings MAV001/MAVD001 2022
Published by Wipe Out Music

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If you want a dive into further Alt-folk realms then the Slow Folk Playlist is here for you.