Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita
Shrewsbury Folk Festival, Shrewsbury, August 31
As the unrelenting English Bank
Holiday rain intensified, some of the
audience were probably seeking shelter. Others had eagerly taken up their
positions for one of the festival highlights. It didn't take long for the
fusion of Catrin Finch's harp and Seckou Keita's kora to captivate fans and
newcomers alike. It's not every day Shropshire can enjoy this joyful, contemplative
blending of strings from Wales and Senegal.
'You'll notice our act is quite strings-based,' joked Catrin. With the 47
strings of her harp and Seckou's two
koras (one with the usual 21 strings, the other his innovative double-necked
kora) - they're not kidding.
The duo played a selection from their acclaimed
2013 debut album 'Clychau Dibon'. The focal point of the performance for me was
a composition called 'Les Bras de Mer' which, Catrin explained, alluded to an
Atlantis-like legend from her native West Wales. Under the waters of Cardigan
Bay lies the sunken kingdom of Cantre'r Gwaelod, and ghostly church bells can
sometimes still be heard. Towards the end of the piece, Catrin deftly recreates
the peal of bells using the harmonics of her harp while Seckou keeps up the
kora accompaniment ... all this while the rain from the Welsh borders drums
gently on the canvas of the marquee.
Seeing them live, it's no surprise
they were judged Songlines' Best Cross-Cultural Collaboration in 2014. And it's
no wonder they got a standing ovation from the entranced audience.
