11. The Unthanks : Diversions Vol. 3 - Songs From The Shipyards

We’re counting down to Christmas Eve with the albums of the year. Visit tomorrow to see what the next one will be.

Northumberland folkies The Unthanks launch the soundtrack to a documentary about the lost shipyards of the North East, and it’s spine-tingling.

Rachel and Beverly Unthank’s ethereal vocals are like ghosts haunting the graveyard of a once great trade, set against the rhythms and sounds of the past.

 Often with bare piano backing, songs such as Black Trade and Rudyard Kipling’s Big Steamers transcend folk and sail into contemporary waters, with a cover of Elvis Costello’s Shipbuilding successfully moored alongside.

An unexpected delight.