Released 20 years ago
Black Water
Kris Drever · 2006
48 min · 12 tracks · traditional folk music
A haunting blend of traditional folk melodies and modern storytelling, steeped in the rich textures of Scottish heritage.
Top tracks — play these first
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Steel and Stone (Black Water) — Opening the album, this title track sets an emotive tone with its vivid imagery and reflective lyrics about nature and resilience, encapsulating Drever's lyrical prowess.
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Braw Sailin' on the Sea — This lively rendition showcases Drever’s ability to blend traditional melodies with a contemporary feel, making it an engaging experience that highlights his vocal strength.
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Harvest Gypsies — The poignant storytelling in this track reveals themes of displacement and longing, illustrating Drever’s skill in weaving narrative with rich musical arrangements.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional and modern elements effectively but lacks a strong cohesive arc across its length.
What we noticed
- Each track typically follows a verse-chorus structure, with a focus on narrative lyrics that reflect Scottish heritage and personal experiences.
- Several tracks incorporate layered harmonies, particularly in the choruses, which add depth to the vocal arrangements.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- heartfelt storytelling with warmth
- serene melodies for reflection
- gentle pacing for afternoon calm
- intimate moments of quiet introspection
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefer instant gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2006, Black Water is Kris Drever's debut solo album after gaining recognition as a member of the acclaimed folk group Lau. This project marked his transition into a solo artist, showcasing his unique voice and songwriting style while drawing on traditional Scottish influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Kate Rusby· Sam Lee· Laura Marling
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Steel and Stone (Black Water) 3:43
- 2 Braw Sailin' on the Sea 4:04
- 3 Patrick Spence 3:46
- 4 Beads and Feathers 3:23
- 5 Green Grows the Laurel 4:02
- 6 Honk Toot 4:00
- 7 Harvest Gypsies 3:26
- 8 Fause Fause 4:42
- 9 Poor Man's Son 4:04
- 10 Rodney's Glory 4:54
- 11 Navigator 4:26
- 12 Farewell to Fuineray 4:20
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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