'Andraste' (2021)

Andraste is our fourth album, co-written by Mavis Ellen Jackson and Rob Bray.  It features our new singer Imola Vida-Veres accompanied by acoustic guitar, piano, and string quartet to create a dreamy and mesmerising soundscape.  You can get a feel for its sound from this video of the opening song 'Boudica': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRowAckBm3Q

For Andraste, we chose not to use any electric instruments or percussion.  Sonically, it's in a whole different realm from The Wheel, but the same Straw Horse spirit shines beautifully through this set of lovingly crafted songs about the lives of women who defied prejudice and overcame obstruction to make great achievements.

Andraste was written by Mavis Ellen Jackson and Rob Bray and produced by Rob Bray for Ludo Phonographic.

'The Wheel' (2020)

The Wheel is a suite of eight songs based on the eight pagan/Celtic seasonal festivals of the year: Lughnasadh (Harvest), Mabon (Autumn Equinox), Samhain (Hallowe'en), Yule (Winter Solstice), Imbolc (Candlemas), Ostara (Spring Equinox), Beltane (May Day), and Litha (Summer Solstice).

With this one, we've pushed our sonic exploration further still, using acoustic and electronic instruments to create deep, layered harmonic textures that evoke the many different moods of our subjects.
The eight songs flow together as one 36 minute suite on the CD. Not all digital services support seamless playback, so the streamed version of the album offers the whole suite as single track, PLUS the eight individual songs edited for individual playback. We wanted to be sure you could get the full experience whether you go digital or physical!

The Wheel was written and produced by Rob Bray for Ludo Phonographic.  The cover art was created by Ashley Polidori.  

'Dorset Tales' (2017)

Our second album was released in April 2017.  It's a magically rich feast of vocals, guitars, upright bass, and percussion, elevated by orchestral arrangements that teeter exquisitely on the border of breathtaking beauty and unnerving darkness.  The perfect musical setting for our nine tales of intrigue, murder, mystery, derring-do, witchcraft, smuggling, and English eccentricity.


Click here for the stories behind the songs of 'Dorset Tales'.

Dorset Tales was written by Rob Bray & Mavis Ellen Jackson and produced by Rob Bray and Tony Klangfarbe for Ludo Phonographic.  Original artwork was created by Claire Aberlé.  

'Calendar' (2014)

The Straw Horses' debut release 'Calendar' features a wide range of acoustic folk instruments, sublime string and woodwind arrangements, and exquisite vocal harmonies, warmly captured with vintage equipment.

The band's sound creates the perfect feel for the album's subject matter: twelve British historical events and traditions - each connected to a month of the year - lovingly and skilfully retold as charming, touching, folk-flavoured songs.

With hints of The Wicker Man's evocative soundtrack countered by moments of singalong simplicity, the album blends mystery and reflection with the spirit of celebration and will take you on a moving and rousing journey around Britain's rich and fascinating past.

Calendar evokes deep affection for the stories it tells and the characters it recalls. There's reverence in the artfully crafted lyrics and an honesty and delicacy in the production that will draw you in, time after time.

The CD comes with a 27 page booklet containing background information and stunning original artwork to accompany each track.

If you've bought just the music, click here for the artwork and stories behind the songs.

Calendar was written by Rob Bray & Mavis Ellen Jackson and produced by Rob Bray for Ludo Phonographic.  Original artwork was created by Claire Aberlé.