Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman: Tomorrow Will Follow Today review – skilled and wide-ranging

The comeback continues. Kathryn Roberts retired from the folk scene to look after her children before she and husband Sean Lakeman returned in style with their album Hidden People. Now comes a further reminder of their songwriting skill and range, and it starts with four impressive songs – all completely different. First, there’s the traditional Child Owlet, “a shocking tale of incest, betrayal and murder” on which Kathryn’s powerful voice is matched against driving guitar from Sean that provides a reminder of his work with his brother, Seth Lakeman. Next comes 52 Hertz, a quirky and charming true story about a lonely whale, followed by Kathryn’s thoughtful advice to her children, A Song to Live By, performed solo at the piano. The duo then move to politics with the angry, heartfelt title track. Elsewhere, they somehow manage to switch from Russian mermaids to sexual innuendo. Entertaining and original.