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Farewell To Old England Forever
Exotic violinist and composer Jenny M.Thomas has surprised everyone by releasing an album of traditional Australian folk songs.
‘Farewell to Old England Forever’ is a collection of songs that delves deep into Australia's tumultuous past, yet remains free and
unconstrained by tradition. She has turned her attention to her own musical heritage, indeed the songs of her childhood, and the
result is an album of stripped back minimalist folk that is contemporary, yet somehow beautifully nostalgic.
In order to record the album Thomas mastered the rare and difficult art of singing and playing the fiddle at the same time, learned
how to play the spoons, constructed a lagerfonium and searched Melbourne for the sweetest banjo-mandolin. Collaborating with
exceptionally talented jazz musicians Christopher Hale (banjo-mandolin) and Anthony Schulz (accordion) was the final step in her
quest to resurrect these old and battered songs.
‘A delightful album… Your arrangements of these songs breathes new life into them. Waltzing Matilda will never be the same again
Jenny!’
Andrew Ford, The Music Show ABC Radio National
‘The arrangements on this recording are anything but traditional, with a very free improvisational feel and strong jazz overtones.
Performed and recorded immaculately, with a very clean and open style as the often sparse accompaniment winds and wraps itself around
Jenny's voice. This is trad with a difference… a well crafted production with a very gentle and relaxed manner.’
Trad and Now
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Into The Ether
An instrumental album where tabla, tamboura and didgeridoo are among the numerous instruments that add an extra layer of warmth and
richness to the violin as it meanders across the boundaries of Indian, Scandinavian and Celtic traditions.
‘Thomas' bow weeps emotion, but as this phenomenal musical excursion shows over and over again, her violin and viola weep in ways that
transcend the violin's ‘ordinary’ ability to tug at the heartstrings: There is not a single ordinary thing about this album… Without
question, she is the finest non-Indian that I have heard play Indian-accented violin... If I get three musical discoveries of this
calibre out of the hundreds of new musical experiences that come my way annually, I count myself blessed’
Jazzwise UK
‘A vivid and intriguing mix. She crisscrosses styles, heading where her nimble fingers lead. You will love the voices she produces.’
Melbourne Herald Sun
‘An interesting album of considerable sonic beauty. The fragmentary, emotionally nuanced work ultimately and appealingly takes shape
as a sort of representation of musical memory and dreaming.’
Music Forum
‘Melancholic but beautiful musicianship.’
Readings Magazine
‘Her ability to follow an idea in an instant and create wonderful sequences and trails of melodic and rhythmic sounds are given the
chance here to be fully explored, and she takes us on mystical rides, extending the definition of a folk-violinist into ethereal
spheres. A beautiful recording,
worthy paying attention to.’
Folk Alliance Australia Magazine
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