Reviews
Blueflint’s new album ‘Stories from home’ press reviews:
“An album, brimming with the joy of life, highlights are many…Neilson and co-conspirator Deborah Arnott’s songwriting has blossomed… Seeker style harmonies… ‘This is a story’ will make your heart soar, destined to be one of the songs of the year.” R2
“An engaging third album, with songs of life, love and parenthood delivered in often intimate close harmony vocals…intimate…joyful.” 4 **** stars The Scotsman
“A gorgeous harmony drenched third album…An album seeped in nostalgia, love and the joy of motherhood…Each song is sublime right to the last track. The duo just get better and better.” The Daily Record
“Considerable development in their sound, helped in no small part by the production work of Paul Savage at Chem 19 Studios…beautifully recorded, as are the vocals of the two songwriters… Don’t make a fool out of me, which closes the album with lovely harmonies, cannot help but stand out.” Glasgow Herald
“At the heart of Blueflint are the wonderfully matched voices of Clare Neilson and Deborah Arnott… They bring out the soul of a soulless environment and give voice to a thousand humdrum lives. Yet despite the subject matter, this is far from being a depressing album. On the contrary. This is a life-affirming piece, full of fantastic lyrics, great musicianship and more than a few wry smiles.” Fatea Records
“Sharp, open hearted…evocative arrangements from the Leith-based alt-folkers. Refreshingly unadorned vocals and warmly interwoven banjo/ fiddle driven sound.” fRoots
…”Sees the band in a confident and strident mood. ‘Stories From Home’ is a welcome return for Blueflint and a return which sees their fleet-fingered banjo-fuelled songs and stories make the sort of impact which, after some time away, is not just a relief, but refreshing and revitalising.” Louder Than War
“Blueflint where have you been all my life? Producer Paul Savage allows the songs to breath and leaves their essential humanity for all to see. If you’ve heard Blueflint before then you’ll know how good this is…if you haven’t, then it’s time you put them on your shopping list.” Shire Folk
“Truly Special.. beautiful vocal harmonies…Seriously worth checking this album, we love it…It is an album that constantly returns to the theme of reconciling yourself to a changing identity – be it the changing identity caused by falling in or out of love or by growing up… It would not be at all surprising if it were to help Blueflint find a wider audience.” Folk Radio
“Once again, Deborah Arnott and Clare Neilson have served up a fantastic album. Blueflint have scored a hat-trick of brilliant albums. However long the next one takes, six months or a decade, I’ll be waiting.” 17 Seconds
“Blueflint are a superb musical outfit, and the combination of their well observed lyrics…and their impressive musical credentials, make this a fantastic record.” Rock Society
“Impressive third album.” Fife Today
“The duo’s intriguing songs and sweet harmony vocals…are given an invigorating setting by producer Paul Savage.” Country Music People
“The five piece line up accompanying Deborah and Clare complement the close harmonies perfectly and the honest and finely crafted songs have all been written by the two Scottish songstresses.” Amplified
A decidedly earthy air… Blueflint’s songs speak of hope… Sublime harmonies.” Acoustic music review
Live reviews:
“All eleven songs from the new album were played impeccably and it was clear that Blueflint have incorporated elements of urban alt-folk and indie pop into their signature Americana/bluegrass sound. These heartwarming songs were lovingly crafted in Edinburgh and the pleasing traces of Scots accents in the vocals underscored the honesty, integrity and uncompromising nature of the narratives and lyrics.
Clare Neilson and Deborah Arnott are both fine lead vocalists and their close harmonies are stunning.
This was a sparkling gig from Blueflint, whose fine songcraft and musicianship was enhanced further by the warmth and feelgood factor they generate in live performance. With gigs such as this and a critically-acclaimed new album, Blueflint seem set fair to widen their audience and fan-base further still.” Fatea
Radio presenter’s quotes on the new Blueflint album “Stories from home.”
“What’s not to love. Producer Paul Savage has been at the desk for most of the great records to emerge from Scotland.. and this Blueflint record is really no exception.” BBC Radio Scotland: Roddy Hart show
“ ‘Stories from home’ is excellent.” BBC Radio Scotland Tom Morton, Morton Through Midnight
”This new album…is a really, really lovely thing…great piece of work..best piece of work they’ve done…beautifully produced.” BBC Radio Scotland Tom Morton, Morton Through Midnight
‘Maudy Tree’ CD Reviews
“the musicianship is consistently excellent…Deborah Arnott and Clare Neilson..sing beautifully together and demonstrate an impressive range as songwriters.” R2/ Rock ‘n’ Reel 4 stars ****
“… a triumphantly individual group-collective take on the twin traditions of old-timey folk and knowingly contemporary Scottish country music….a real discovery…one of my albums of the year. Folk and Roots
“Relaxed, assured and very attractive vocal harmony from Deborah Arnott and Clare Neilson…leads their crew further into mainstream acceptability and success.” Scotland on Sunday 4 Stars ****
“This second album has ample evidence that their talent should be a lasting one, with both women contributing fine new songs to their catalogue…making the disc a sonic step forward.” The Herald
“..lyrically clever, musically immediate…Rich imagery and cleverly captured vignettes draw the listener in…total winner.’ fRoots
“By turns sprightly and pensive, this impressive second album consolidates the virtues of a compelling band and keeps us locked in for future melodic adventures”. The Skinny
“Wonderous.” Daily Record
“A delightful blend of bluegrass, country and Americana that is heavy on emotion and more so on musicianship, the Edinburgh quartet look ready to consolidate their early promise with second album Maudy Tree.” Edinburgh Evening News
“Edinburgh-based Blueflint’s clever use of dark folk.” Americana UK 7/10
“Two years since their excellent debut album, High Bright Morning, and the Edinburgh bluegrass act have returned with their sophomore album. It’s definitely been worth the wait. If you still haven’t bought their debut, shame on you. Make sure you get this one as well.” Seventeen Seconds/This Is Music
“The girls’ voices are pure and strong (beautifully showcased on I Climbed A Mountain where they’re backed by just fiddle), they all play exceptionally well and they clearly have fresh and inspired musical imaginations. Sounds like recommendation enough to me.” NetRhythms
“Blueflint are dark with lots of sharp edges, at times abrasive, at times capable of cutting deep and opening scars.” Fatea Records
“Banjo driven Gaelic tinged Americana…moving easily between folky hoedowns and darker ballads.” Total Music Magazine
Debut album ‘High Bright Morning’ Reviews
‘High Bright Morning’ Launch at the Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, 30th Sept 2009
“Stories of heartbreak, revenge and plenty more drama besides pepper the lyrics of ace Edinburgh bluegrass banjo duo of Deborah Arnott and Clare-Louise Neilson…Their sublime delicate vocal harmonising adds a layer of achingly melancholy beauty to every song…their wonderful take on Americana could warm the coldest of hearts.” The List 5 Stars *****
“Truly haunting”. The Scotsman 4 Stars ****
‘High Bright Morning’ CD Reviews
“Terrific harmonies…A robust supporting cast and top-notch arrangements make this lovely record a serious contender for UK Americana album of the year, if such an accolade exists.” Rock’n’Reel Music Magazine 4 Stars ****
“One of Scotlands finest….one of the most charming Bluegrass CDs of the year…this is a Scots triumph… excellent songwriting….Arnott’s ‘I like the way’ has hit written all over it.” Sunday Herald
“Deborah Arnott and Clare-Louise Neilson use sparkling vocal harmony, sweet melodic melancholy and often stark, dark storytelling to win hearts and minds…..this first album arrives full of character.” Scotland on Sunday 4 Stars ****
“The time seems ripe for talented Edinburgh duo Blueflint to crossover into the indie realm…Blueflint’s trademark bluegrass twin banjo sound not only conjours up echoes of Gillian Welch but also the dark underbelly of folk…Blueflint are intent to layer their crisp, vaporous vocals in understated two-part harmonies, like alluring sirens drawing you into a beguiling world.” The Skinny 4 Stars ****
“These sublime original songs cannot fail to move you, cannot leave you untouched…‘Takes More Than A Little Time,’ the album’s opener, sets the stall, as one future classic after another follows…get your hands on this album. It’s one that you’ll want to hear again and again.” Is This Music?
“Wholly engaging to anyones ears…great songs..taking them beyond any Bluegrass pigeon holes…High Bright Morning arrives this month and conveys the magic of their songwriting in ten emotive often dark tales…the songs have a special atmosphere of their own.’ The List Preview
“You’ll love High Bright Morning.” Daily Record
“Claire-Louise Nelson and Deborah Arnott have produced an impressive album featuring some lovely melodies and tuneful harmonies……plaintive and engrossing.” Daily Express 4 Stars ****
“This is a great album of original music… Buy, play and smile.” Taplas