YORK was the fourth stop on Maddy Prior's tour and it was both reassuring to hear some of the old favourites and exciting to learn that new work was included in the programme.

Beginning with favourites such as The Undoing World, about refugees travelling to the United States, and The Fabled Hare, which left me with goosebumps as always, we received a short lesson on the startling starling flights known as murmurations before the trio launched into a new song titled, appropriately, Murmurations, a superb part song with wonderful harmonies.

The new album, Shortwinger, is themed around birds, and judging from the renditions this evening it is a magical mix of traditional tales and everyday events, wrapped in clever and complex harmonies. The lovely Flying Boy, by Giles Lewin, is a haunting and poignant evocation of the lessening of spirit and joy that goes with the leaving behind of childhood.

We were also treated to Hannah James’s spirited clog dancing and an insightful introduction into how some of her kickstarter album funds have been raised by pieces written specifically for some backers from tales she was given as inspiration. The Lucky Blackbird and The Home Of White Roses must have given great joy to the recipients and it was a pleasure to discover the inspirational tale and resulting music.

The evening ended with a rousing rendition of Fields Of The Cloth Of Gold and encores included some yodelling and a humorous finale, Poor Lewin Lies.

Maddy Prior’s top notes may be a little lower these days, but her ear for a well-crafted line and resonant harmony is undimmed and this trio of talents combined, as always, to make beautiful music.

Alison Spaven