These days, Whalebone is an acoustic guitar duo -- Char (or Charlotte) Watson and Steve Downs. In 2016, when Mirabilia was released, they were a trio, also featuring Sarah Ibberson on the 5-string violin.

(In fact, maybe someone should check in with Sarah; although she seems to have been scrubbed from the Whalebone website, she still lists herself as a member of the group on Linked-In and her personal website. A search on Whalebone's Facebook page makes a vague mention of an injury that sidelined Sarah in 2019 and then she just ... vanished. Sarah's Facebook page, which is still active, also seems vague on the matter. Sarah, are you OK?)

It's a mystery. In any case, as a trio Whalebone was tight back in 2016. The 13 instrumental tracks are all written by the band and evoke a musical landscape centered on their English homeland but wandering a bit further afield at times, drawing on American and European influences.

The music is mostly mellow and relaxing, although there's a current of energy running through it that doesn't let you get bored. Sometimes, it feels like the band isn't sure of its identity, particularly when Downs trades his acoustic for an electric guitar. The rockier aspects of the CD aren't bad, certainly, but they do feel out of place.

Overall, it's a nice, tight musical package, a nonintrusive aural experience that neatly balances the fiddle and a variety of guitars (as well as some bouzouki and mandolin).

Now, could someone check on Sarah's well-being? Just to be sure.

[ visit Whalebone online ]