Sharron Kraus is a modern folk musician who was born in the U.S. and was raised in England. Kraus has been active since 2002, making music ranging from folk music reminiscent of the British folk revival of the 1960s to the psychedelic folk stylings of Espers, an American psychedelic folk band that Kraus has recorded with. On her Wikipedia page, her work is described as a distinctive, and draws from a mix of English and Appalachian folk songs. This album, Pilgrim Chants & Pastoral Trails (2013), is one of Kraus’ more recent albums, and is her 11th release overall. I’m pretty stoked to give this album a listen, so with that said, I’m going to jump on into the music.
“Hiraeth” slowly fades in with a mixture of humming, pleasant guitar chords, a droning keyboard of some sort, and the sounds of nature. Oh wow, some folksy flutes and other instruments seem to gradually enter into the soundscape, producing music that sounds one with nature. The natural and folksy sounds keep building, almost as though it’s coming to a slowly rising crescendo. I’m sort of reminded of the naturesque quality of the Judy Collins album that I listened to recently, Wildflowers (1967). Wow, super sweet and peaceful track, and I’m excited to hear more.
“Rowan” begins with what sounds like the cracking of twigs and leaves under your feet as you’re walking through a forest, followed by some super sweet hums that have a naturesque quality again. Oh wow, it sounds like a mandolin, harp, or lute plays some sweet folksy strings, while Kraus’ voice gently carries the tune along, like a fallen leaf through an autumn breeze. I’m really digging the sound so far. The quality is something along the lines of old English folk songs and melodies played along the Appalachian trail, and harmonizing with nature in the process. Wow, great track.
“Cadair idris” slowly fades in with what sounds like a low distant rumbling, like watching storm clouds slowly consuming the horizon. Some really interesting guitar work comes in that almost feels a bit dissonant while still retaining a sweet quality, reminding me a fair deal of Karen Dalton in the process. Oh wow, the vocals and the playing seem to gradually harmonize and sweeten up more, as though you’ve entered the calm before a storm. I’m also vaguely reminded of the song “Rapture” by Judy Henske and Jerry Yester. This song is incredibly peaceful and feels as though it could induce a meditative state. Wow, great track.
Oh wow, “Candlemas Moon” slowly fades in with some super sweet vocal harmonies, a droning keyboard or a folk instrument like a bagpipe of some sort, and some really sweet acoustic guitar chords that move the tune forward nicely. Super sweet track.
“Winding Road” begins with some more sounds of nature, which are soon followed by some really sweet keyboards that create a some nice movement in the background. Oh wow, the flute playing in this track really leads the rest of the instrumentation along nicely, as though the guitar and other stringed folk instruments are following the flute along a road along the Appalachian mountains, which are moved along by wonder induced by the keyboards. Great track.
“Dark Pool” starts out with some ominous acoustic guitar at the start that contains a certain haunting sound you might hear in the works of Karen Dalton and/or Tim Buckley. There’s some ominous vocals in the background that are accompanied by some synth and keyboard effects combine to form some strange, ghostly effects that have gotten me even more engrossed into this listening experience. Oh wow, the soundscape becomes sweetened by some pleasant harmonious layers at the end of the track in the form of an organ, keyboard, or some sort of droning folk instrument. Great track.
“Y fari lwyd” begins with what sounds to be some distant, celebratory chanting that has a sort of old, folksy, nearly sea shanty quality, and is soon joined by some sweet strumming of an acoustic guitar and the droning of bagpipes or another similar folk instrument. The drones nearly have a raga quality to them, while the percussion and flute in the track seem to steer the soundscape into what sounds to be Celtic folk territory. I’m sort of reminded of Planxty in that sense, which is an Irish folk band from the 1970s. Great track.
“Farewell” begins with the sounds of birds chirping in nature, which is soon joined by the peaceful vocals from Kraus and some delicately plucked and strummed folksy stringed instruments. Oh wow, the flute comes in alongside the bright and gentle ringing of some bells, creating a sound that feels absolutely one with nature. Wow, great track, and a super sweet way to finish the album.
Holy smokes, this album is an incredibly peaceful listening experience. If there existed an American myth about a lone traveler who was the first person to ever dare traversing the Appalachian mountains, this is the music that could potentially narrate some of the journey should a movie be made about the mythical story. Though the music does have a tinge of darkness at times, the overwhelming feeling is a harmony with nature that combines flavors from traditional American and British folk music. If you’re into naturesque and peaceful folk music, then you might want to consider checking out this album. If you do decide to give this album a listen, I sincerely do hope that you enjoy the listening experience at least as much as I did.
-A