THESE two hard-working singer-songwriters have just earned their eighth nomination in the BBC Radio Two Folk Awards as best duo.
Their latest studio album covers familiar ground, with the title track examining the loneliness of urban living, while Welcome To Your Life, with is joyful tune at the end, celebrates the birth of a baby and the jaunty Little Man Jake praises childhood.
Matthew wrote Take These Bones to shine a light on the Japanese government’s odious policy of using young girls to serve the military as sex slaves during the Second World War. The powerful song, with is walking bass and brass, features a 250-strong choir recruited from the duo’s Rejoice The Voice workshops.
Another vocal tour de force occurs on The Sum Of What I Am, which Matthews wrote for a BBC Radio ballad about living with AIDS and HIV.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here