Lady Maisery | tender Review

by Illiam Sebitz

Lady Maisery is an Award-winning vocal trio that has spent over ten years at the forefront of the English folk scene. Together the three ladies bring a unique approach to harmony singing and intelligent and thoughtful arrangements of both traditional repertoire and original compositions. Lady Maisery is Hazel Askew, Hannah James, and Rowan Rheingans. The trio have released five albums, toured widely, performed sell-out shows across the UK and Europe, and are now releasing their tender album.

“Bird I do not know” is the second song on the album and captures the trio and mood of the project perfectly. Together they blend their three acoustic instruments and angelic voices into a tapestry of traditional English folk that traverses boundaries and elevates to reaching the plateau of good honest music, which is beyond category but speaks to the heart.

The closing selection, “birdsong,” is an Askew original that showcases the trio’s ability to create many colors with their instruments and beautiful textures with their voices. The layering of vocals is lovely, from Askew singing by herself until all three sing in harmony. The violin and accordion make for the perfect accompaniment, giving it an old-world English texture with modern lyrics and vocal harmonies.

Tender is an album that celebrates the trio showcasing their immense multi-instrumental skills and vocal beauty while delivering a poignant music set. Effortlessly flowing between original compositions that draw on a myriad of musical influences, Lady Maisery is skillful voyagers’ music based on English folk songs but speaks to anyone who takes the time to listen.