Changed Days, Same Roots finds the always-adventurous
Poozies melding their native U.K.
folk tradition with chillier sounds from Scandinavia, as well as modern
folk and
country influences. Like the best
folk music,
Changed Days invites the listener into the players' circle with revealing anecdotes about the songs chosen, and the paths by which each piece found the
Poozies. The energetic
"Daniel's Potatoes," for example, contains components of three different reels and stories, while
"All I Want" was inspired by a
Rosanne Cash reading of
"Wouldn't It Be Loverly," and features an absolutely heartbreaking lead vocal by
Eilidh Shaw. The
Poozies graciously include a rundown of instruments for each track; this is immensely helpful, as the group's prominent use of electro-harp, various accordions, fiddles, and something called the metal-strung clarsach makes detailed liner notes important and entertaining.
Changed Days, Same Roots is masterfully sequenced, and quite strong throughout. Still, besides the poignant, haunting
"All I Want," its best moments might be its biggest departures.
"Rosa" is a
traditional number from Poland, delivered here almost exclusively as a vocal (an electro-harp does add some subtle color towards the end). Elsewhere,
"Tam" and
"Lila" are each rooted in Sweden, and do seem to cool the group's normally robust
folk with more solitary harp lines. Overall, an intriguing, inviting, even educational disc. ~ Johnny Loftus
![Out of Our Heads [UK] (Remastered)](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0018771943020_p0_v1_s90x140.jpg "Out of Our Heads [UK] (Remastered)")
