''Arc Light'' is the second studio album by

contemporary folk Contemporary folk music refers to a wide variety of genres that emerged in the mid 20th century and afterwards which were associated with traditional folk music. Starting in the mid-20th century a new form of popular folk music evolved from tradit ...

three-piece

Lau Lau or LAU may refer to: People * Lau (surname) * Liu (劉/刘), a common Chinese family name transliterated Lau in Cantonese and Hokkien * Lau clan, one of the Saraswat Brahmin clans of Punjab * LAU (musician): Laura Fares Places * Lebane ...

, released on March 30, 2009 on Navigator Records. The album's bonus track is a cover of

The Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...

' song, "Dear Prudence". The track originally appeared on a compilation issued free with

Mojo magazine ''Mojo'' is a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom, initially by Emap, and since January 2008 by Bauer. Following the success of the magazine '' Q'', publishers Emap were looking for a title that would cater for the bur ...

Reception

Like its predecessor, ''

Lightweights and Gentlemen ''Lightweights and Gentlemen'' is the debut studio album by folk band Lau, released on March 19, 2007. Track listing ''All tracks arranged by Kris Drever, Martin Green and Aidan O'Rourke'' # "Hinba" - 5:07 #* "Hinba" (O'Rourke) #* "Funny Weath ...

'', ''Arc Light'' garnered strong critical acclaim upon release. Chris Nickson of

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

described the album as "stirring and utterly wonderful," while Michael Quinn, of

BBC Music BBC Music is responsible for the music played across the BBC. The current director of music is Bob Shennan, who is also the controller of BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 6 Music, and the BBC Asian Network. Officially it is a part of the BBC's Radio o ...

remarked that "what astonishes most about Lau is the orchestral quality of the sound." Music webzine The Line of Best Fit stated that: "''Arc Light'' is testament to their constant need to push themselves as musicians, and as innovators of the folk movement."

Track listing

''All tracks arranged by

Kris Drever Kris Drever (born 31 October 1978) is a Scottish contemporary folk musician and songwriter who came to prominence in 2006 with the release of his debut solo album, ''Black Water''. Drever is the vocalist and guitarist of the folk trio Lau with ...

, Martin Green and Aidan O'Rourke'' # "The Burrian" (Drever/Green/O'Rourke) # "Winter Moon" (Drever/Green/O'Rourke) # "Horizontigo" #* "Horizontigo" (Drever) #* "Alright in the Heid" (Green) # "Salty Boys" #* "Operation Knoydart (O'Rourke) #* "Salty Boys" (Drever) # "Banks of Marble" (Les Rice/Drever/Green/O'Rourke) # "Stephen's" #* "Stephen's Leaving" (Green) #* "Plot No.12" (O'Rourke) # "The Master" (Drever/Green/O'Rourke) # "Frank and Flo's" #* "Frank and Flo's" (Green) #* "An Tobar" (O'Rourke) # "Temple of Fiddes" (Drever/O'Rourke)

Bonus track

*"Dear Prudence" (

John Lennon John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist who achieved worldwide fame as founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of ...

Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. One ...

)

Personnel

The following people contributed to ''Arc Light''Arc Light liner notes

Band

- guitar, vocals *Martin Green - accordion *Aidan O'Rourke - fiddle

Additional musicians

*Stuart Nisbet - pedal steel guitar *Corrina Hewat - backing vocals *

Karine Polwart Karine Polwart ( ) (born 23 December 1970) is a Scottish singer-songwriter. She writes and performs music with a strong folk and roots feel, her songs dealing with a variety of issues from alcoholism to genocide. She has been most recognised fo ...

- backing vocals *Inge Thomson - backing vocals

Recording personnel

Calum Malcolm Calum Malcolm is a Scottish record producer, sound engineer and keyboardist, who is based in Edinburgh, Scotland. He started his career in rock music with the band The Headboys in 1977. From 1974, he has worked with bands and musicians such a ...

- producer, mixing, mastering *

Lau (band) Lau is a British folk band from both Scotland and England, formed in 2005. Named after an Orcadian word meaning "natural light", the band is composed of Kris Drever (guitar, vocals), Martin Green (accordion, piano, electronics) and Aidan O'Rou ...

- mixing *Stuart Hamilton - engineering

Artwork

*David Angel - photography

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Arc Light (Album) 2009 albums Lau (band) albums