The father daughter duo of Graham Crocker and Hannah Power have been playing acoustic guitar and mandolin together for many years now. They’ve backed up some bigger named acts such as Martin Carthy, Seth Lakeman, Al Stewart, Roy Harper, Julie Felix, Colin Blunstone and Roy Wood among others. But the pair’s first outing on their own is under the band name Meand'er and it is a much simpler affair. Their first record This Magic Path sees the pair doing what they had been hired to do before, but adding their own vocals and harmonies and striking out to make their names together as a family.
The opening track on This Magic Path, “The Short and the Long” wastes no time in setting down the stones which the pair will step on throughout this folk-tinged father daughter journey. From the start one notices that Power takes on the role of vocals with her father chiming in from time to time in the back. Power’s vocals are powerful and sweet, crisp and beautiful, and her father's are hushed and seem to know just how to add that special accoutrement that only musicians who have a special working relationship can intone. This special association comes through again on the somber but powerful “Given” and later on “The Boat That Brought Me Home” a faster paced and heady jam session of twangy folk that shows off their chops for their chosen instruments as well, playing off one another like old pros. This power comes through again but in the way that only the English know how to do on the heavy-hearted and heart wrenching “Service and Bond” which only further illustrates the power of this father and daughter duo. Then, changing course on the song, “There Will Be A Spring” they demonstrate how restraint can be just as powerful with its limiting factors adding strength in the silences. The final song, “This Magic Path,” is done a cappella by Power and is at once a closing song that will leave the listener awed. To me there are songs that are meant for a stage, and I believe the songs on This Magic Path are just that. There is an intimacy here which recordings cannot capture, and that may be the only thing this brilliant record suffers from. Still, the price of the ticket to hear these two harmonize together is well worth it.
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