The Rails new record Fair Warning is beautiful. It has enough folk about it to satisfy expectations created by the fact that Kami Thompson is the daughter of legends Richard & Linda Thompson, but it is modern enough not to be a revival piece. The harmonies are beautiful enough to make you feel that even if Kami is not a couple with James Walbourne, they are spiritually completely in tune. “You can hear everything, it’s bare,” as they say themselves. Which is obviously how they and producer Edwyn (Orange Juice) Collins wanted it. And it’s good enough to make Island’s decision to resurrect their famous “pink” label (home to the likes of Nick Drake and John Martyn) seem like opportunistic empty record company marketing.

You can taste the record a little here as they sing Bonnie Portmore -
 

The Rails also just turned in a tasty All Back To Mine mix for Sean Rowley’s radio show (hear it weekly it at The Nearest Far Away Place) which shows they are a lot more than a traditional act and lays their influences bare – whilst allowing us to find some very good old music:
 

It’s a perfect selection and makes us want to listen to their record even more.

-TH