Smoke Fairies featuring Rasputina Live at St Pancras Old Church, 10/24/13
Smoke Fairies, for the uninitiated, are a duo from Sussex, England who specialize in blending both of their voices into dark, dreamy melodies. Katherine Blamire and Jessica Davies weave misty, troubled emotions with a supple, 
and graceful ease.
Opening with “Fences,” the song could’ve been captured by Alan Lomax as he passed through Appalachia during the depression, or on a Thursday evening at the Cafe Wha in ’63. But this spartan sound and elusive timelessness done with such commitment is precisely why Smoke Fairies are so compelling.
“Living with Ghosts” comes off like an unguarded admission. The melancholy slide guitar effectively underscores the revelation, “It can get lonely/Living with ghosts.”
“Summer Fades” stands out as they sing , “Can you hold me like you held someone/You should never have let go?” this is delivered with a weary, yet hopeful dismay.
Smoke Fairies call to mind the best work of Joni Mitchell and The Cowboy Junkies without sounding like either one. There’s a frail and tender strength which permeates through all of the music.
This album was recorded in October, 2013, accompanied by Daniel Dejesus and Melora Creagor, on viola and cello, respectively, from Rasputina, along with multi-instrumentalist, Neil Walsh. Their accompaniment is sultry and intimate.
We can hear the audience applaud in between songs, but more than a performance, this sounds as though the band is playing for themselves. Like slow burning coals, these songs positively smolder with intensity.
This is a limited edition, vinyl only release. It’s stunning for how perfectly beautiful it is.