Album Review: Gillian Welch, The Harrow and The Harvest

Gillian Welch. Photo / Supplied

With trademark gutsy delicacy, country folk lass Gillian Welch and musical companion David Rawlings kick straight into it on Scarlet Town, the plucky toe-tappin' opener on long-awaited follow up to her last album, Soul Journey, from eight years ago.

Despite playing and co-writing on the Rawlings fronted record A Friend of a Friend from 2009, you could say Welch has been letting the blue grass grow under her feet. Although The Harrow & the Harvest - her fifth album following career highs such as 1996 debut Revival and 2001 break-through Time (The Revelator) - is the perfect example of good things taking time.

While it is spare and beautifully poised country music, there's a raw and pure refinement to these 10 songs - and Welch's devilishly dark words, that have a wry twist every so often, are the work of a seasoned, yarn-spinning poet.

Whether she's recounting her bad girl status on the moseying Tennessee (about getting thrown out of Sunday school "but even so I try to be a good girl"), or singing about everything from gatling guns to gay guitars, and silver daggers, she sure writes an impressive lyric that cuts right through.

Musically it's mostly on the gentle and haunting roly poly-tumbleweed inspired side, but with deft, strong playing (and a little bit of foot stamping) at its core.

Stars: 4/5
Verdict: Like a good whiskey, it's well worth the wait

- TimeOut