The Unthanks, Diversions Vol.1, The Songs Of Robert Wyatt and Antony & The Johnsons (RabbleRouser/Rough Trade) **** (From York Press)

The Unthanks, Diversions Vol.1, The Songs Of Robert Wyatt and Antony & The Johnsons (RabbleRouser/Rough Trade) ****

11:20am Friday 20th January 2012 in CD reviews By Charles Hutchinson

IN the words of The Unthanks’ pianist, Adrian McNally, “well, that definitely wasn’t folk music”.

He was commenting at the finale to Robert Wyatt’s Out Of The Blue, not apologetically but to emphasise the perceived leap from north eastern folk staples to the more extreme, modern songs of Wyatt and Antony Hegarty. He’s right, but not entirely right, because in reality this is not one giant step for folk kind.

Outwardly as traditional as an English batting collapse on the sub-continent, sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank and McNally have never settled in one folk pigeonhole, and these 2010 concert sessions from Union Chapel in London stretch the sinews of their chamber folk towards jazz and blues on six Antony & The Johnson mournful contemplations and eight Wyatt wise works, some tender, others peppery.

Piano, trumpet and a string quartet complement the sisters’ pure voices in fascinating ways, making you wish Kate Rusby would follow suit one day soon.