This latest release from the charismatic Anglo-Australian duo marks "ten years of duo-dom", and like its predecessors it effortlessly embraces contrasts aplenty. From ebullient to emotional (songs), mellow to fiery (instrumentals), with new original compositions placed alongside settings of classic Australian bush ballads, the ever-exuberant Mundy-Turner again prove their absolute mastery of many genres and moods, while also exploring significant new directions in song. Jay's been responsible for some very fine songs over the past twenty years, but he's probably reached a zenith with the elegant Winter Winds and the impassioned restraint of Stealing My Democracy. His winning folk storytelling is showcased on Morjiana, Gipsy Queen and the title track, a tribute to his great-grandfather, a colliery worker-turned-showman... Cath's own writing talents and gift for melody are given full rein on the coming-to-terms-with-tragedy theme of the moving We Can Fly To Heaven. Cath and Jay also prove themselves abundantly creative interpreters of other writers' work, the best examples here being a haunting setting of Henry Lawson's poem Freedom's On The Wallaby and a tremendous - though unusually stark and measured – acappella treatment of the anti-war song Mrs McGrath. And the instrumental tracks (and portions of tracks) turn out to be highlights too, the well-named Searing Serenity/Magic Mike set being the pick of a prize bunch for me... the pair's close vocal harmonies, Cath's infectious fiddle playing and Jay's accomplished guitar work are all enhanced by guest contributions from the increasingly excellent Vicki Swan (double bass, Scottish small pipes) and Jonny Dyer (piano accordion, piano, guitar), also Phil Snell (ace mandolinist) and Hugh Whitaker (percussion). And there's a really nice feel to Phil's admirably clean, crisp and wholly sympathetic production, which so well captures the relaxed, at-home easygoing nature of the actual recording sessions. As does the bonus track, a brand new studio rendition of live favourite Naked (although I'm not sure it fits ideally with the rest of the album). But in any case I still consider Ha'penny Tweedle definitely Cath and Jay's best collection yet.

A delightfully fresh sounding album by Catherine Mundy and Jay Turner, a duo whose name I’ve seen around for some time, but never heard, until now. Catherine hails from Australia which is where British-born Jay met up with her in 1995. Since then they’ve toured the world singing and playing and turning out a series of well-received albums. This latest is a highly professional mix of their own excellent original material alongside items from the pens of Aussie legends Banjo Patterson and Henry Lawson, plus an appealing version of the traditional “Mrs. McGrath”. The album’s title track tells the true story of Jay’s great-grandfather, a Derbyshire coal-miner who invented a fairground ride called the Ha’penny Tweedle, but some of the other songs are of a more serious nature, occasionally political, and always well-constructed. Instrumental accompaniment is provided mainly by Catherine on fiddle and piano, and Jay on guitar and mandolin, making this an album I can heartily recommend.

Mundy-Turner were Australia based before moving back to Jay's native UK. With new child in the pram they have returned to Australia in 2007. They are a thoroughly solid unit in a roots based songwriter style. The twelve tracks here were recorded by Phil Snell, and it has to be said he has captured the sound to perfection. There is variety in the music, often a failing of writer based music, and Cath's fiddle shines out. There's even a bonus track, a re-recording of former album title track 'Naked', which is as good a touchstone to the style as any. Well, they will return to tour, so till then buy this.