WIFE and husband folk duo Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman play Selby Town Hall on April 28.
Five years had passed since the two-time BBC Folk Award winners last released an album, 2018’s Personae, but March 17 brought a new release from Barnsley-born singer Roberts and producer and accompanist Lakeman, from the Dartmoor folk dynasty of Sean, Seth and Sam, partner of Irish singer Cara Dillon.
Seventh album Almost A Sunset is a collection of thoughtful, varied songs that range from re-worked traditional ballads to the off-piste storytelling style that has become the trademark of this long-running contemporary folk act.
Recorded at Devon pace in their Round The Bend studio on Dartmoor over the course of a year, the songs explore the couple’s favourite characters, childhood memories and deep emotions as they demonstrate their musical versatility, a sharp interest in the world around them and unique perspective on the folk genre.
Roberts sings and plays piano and woodwind to Lakeman’s guitars, bass and percussion on 11 tracks: Eavesdropper; Pew Tor; Ropedancer; Fear Not The Mountain; Call My Name; Fall Of The Lion Queen; Red Rose White Lily Part I; Red Rose White Lily Part II; Night Visiting; Bound To Stone and Year Without A Summer.
“Kathryn and Sean have been at the top of their game, and the top of the folk tree, for the best part of 30 years since their early days in folk ‘supergroup’ Equation,” says Selby Town Council arts officer Chris Jones. “They’re a phenomenally talented pair and their shows are always so full of warmth and charm, with great storytelling and fantastic music.”
Tickets for the 8pm gig are on sale on 01757 708449 or at selbytownhall.co.uk or on the door from 7.30pm. Roberts & Lakeman also play Carriageworks Theatre, Leeds, on Wednesday (19/4/2023) at 7.30pm, supported by Heslop & Stringer; tickets, 0113 376 0318 or carriageworkstheatre.co.uk.
