A Cut Above

The young BBC award-nominated harmonica virtuoso who made a name in duo Walsh & Pound, steps out on his own with this barnstormer of a solo debut album. Recognised as one of the best harmonica players of his generation, 26-year old Will Pound shows why he is undoubtedly "A Cut Above" with this stand out, solo debut album. Nominated for the 2012 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 'Musician of the Year' title, the Warwickshire canal boat dwelling harp ace distinctively featured on the Christmas No 1 Hillsborough charity single 'He Ain't Heavy' and has now formed his own Will Pound Band. Playing both diatonic and chromatic harmonica he reaches the parts others harp players simply don't. An effervescent, life-affirming album it acrobatically hops across bluegrass, folk and jazz to blues, rock, pop and funk featuring both new arrangements of trad numbers and inventive original material. Be it a sultry take on 'Amazing Grace', the jaunty title track written by Will and wife Nicky or the barely-time-to-catch-your-breath bluegrass fave 'Clinch Mountain Back Step', this is a compelling and dazzling display of virtuosity. Will is aided and abetted by some of the finest musicians on the scene with Martin Simpson, Kris Drever, Damien O'Kane, Andy Cutting and Tim Edey all making appearances.