North Sea Radio Orchestra

'Birds' cd.lp

Oof! Records

Released 3rd November 08

Described as a strange alliance between Benjamin Britten, the Incredible String Band, Sufjan Stevens, Vernon Elliot, water from the Thames and London clay, NSRO have a wholly unique sound - using guitars, strings, woodwind, organs, vibes and voices their music ranges from small folk-like songs through to epic post minimal chamber instrumentals – always shot through with a particularly ‘English flavour’.  Theirs is a world in which harmony and melody abound. This is not simply the token use of ‘classical’ instruments to help with ailing arrangements but rather the integral use of wind, strings and percussion within the songs in the truest tradition of chamber music.

'Beautiful, autumnal classical crossover from folk influenced collective. With songs based on William Blake, NSRO evoke the kind of Englishness that exists only in the imagination and is best sampled on a crisp dark night with a glass of hot punch'. Rocksound

'Setting poems by William Blake, Chaucer and Tennyson to woodwind, string and choral accompaniment that are by turns beauteous and sinister, like the dance of the maidens before Wicker Man goes up inflames...bewitching'' Q Magazine

'Having lately wowed the folkier festivals, the ensembles second album is timely, arriving just as the classical/folk crossover gains currency. Birds is a marriage of ancient and modern with choral numbers and instrumentals that sound like Tortoise reworked by Howard Goodall..' Mojo Magazine

'Finger-picked acoustic guitars, strings, organs and a variety of wind instruments flourish in s subtly enchanting album form this British folk outfit...a timeless, pastoral quality reminiscent of Paul Giovanni's soundtrack for the Wicker Man'. Big Issue

'It's a strange thing that a Fairport Convention influenced chamber orchestra could sound so contemporary or even interesting but there is a definite pop element to the songs presented on 'Birds'. The music throughout is wonderfully comforting and soothing with obvious technical skill and Sharon Fortnam's voice has such clarity and beauty that it's a particular highlight of the album'. Clash Magazine

'A truly lovely, soothing and joyous combination of folk and chamber music. North Sea Radio Orchestra's second album won;t suprise any existing fans of the band but will certainly keep them very happy indeed'. - Album of the Fortnight - Leeds Guide

http://www.myspace.com/northsearadioorchestra