Reinterpreting the classic soundtrack with the help of an incredible array of artists, the result is a blessing.
Words: Jamie Broughton
In 2022, Katy J Pearson brought a beautiful album into the world and our ears were grateful. Produced by the astute ears of Dan Carey, 'Sound of the Morning' presents Pearson in all her eclectic finery, introducing her fans to influences that may not have seemed apparent in her previous work. One of these influences, which surfaced at the close of the record, was the folk horror anthem, 'Willow's Song', from the beloved, British cult-classic, 'The Wicker Man'. Those of us that had a pre-existing relationship with this song, held our collective breath, shut our eyes, and put as much of our thought and attention into manifesting further modern interpretations of the film's mighty soundtrack. Our internal prayers have been answered…
Subsequent to the release of 'Sound of the Morning', Pearson was asked to re-imagine the soundtrack for the 5-disc 'Wicker Man' 50th Anniversary Collectors Edition, Studiocanal's box set re-issue of the cult Brit-horror film to mark the film's 50th anniversary.
The EP features musical contributions from H. Hawkline, The Broadside Hacks, Orbury Common, Drug Store Romeos, Wet Leg, Sarah Meth, and Bert Ussher, as well as remixes by Richard Norris and Stone Club. This incredible array of Pearson collaborators have worked together to create a glorious matrimony of old and new, shedding light on the timeless compositions that fanatics have enjoyed for the last half a century.
The result is greater than our wildest dreams could have predicted, bringing magic to the material realm in a stunning collection of songs that manage to traverse the wind-beaten hills of sprawling, cinematic ecstasy and nestle in the loving embrace of breath-taking intimacy. 'Katy J Pearson & Friends Present Songs From The Wicker Man' is bound to be a favourite in any modern listener's collection, exploring new facets of a potential that has lain dormant since the original recordings first graced stereo systems with their delicate, powerful beauty and eerie charm.
The instrumentation is as tasteful as it is multifaceted, evoking the natural ambience of trad folk arrangements while offering the shimmering textures and technical embellishments of the modern sonic palette. True to the iconic atmosphere of the original recordings but endowed with the all the blessings of contemporary studio fidelity, this new collection is a pleasure to perceive for fans of the original motion picture soundtrack and newcomers alike.
From the uncanny, esoteric 'Fire Leap', through to the fragile, mystical setting of 'Lullaby', the EP is a masterpiece, ranging from soft, tentative vocal renditions to an explorative, psych-tinged frenzy that would make Lou Reed proud. The looped ambience throughout is a perfect bed upon which the other parts bask in harmonic reverence.
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