Issue 1 11/97

FolkWorld CD Reviews

Ossian "The Carrying Stream"
Label: Greentrax Recordings; CDTRAX127 Ossian, one of the most legendary Scottish bands is back again! Two of the founder members are in the new line up: Harpist Billy Jackson and singer/guitarist Billy Ross; joined by Ex-Tannahill Weavers Iain McInnes (pipes, flutes) and Stuart Morison (fiddle). Exactly 20 years after their first album Ossians seventh album is out. And the magic is still there! The music is of spectecular beauty, it is just a pleasure to listen to them. Welcome back!
Greentrax Recordings , Tel.+44-1875-814155 Fax +44-1875-813545
Michael Moll

Helmut Debus "Möven seilt up Wind"
Label: Thein, Bremen; De5-97 Recommended to all friends of good Singers/Songwriters is the new album of German singer Helmut Debus. Helmut sings in the Northern German dialect 'Platt' - even most Germans cannot understand it. But his songs and lyrics are such kind that you do not have to understand the language; you can feel in his songs the width of the Northern German country, the North Sea, the atmosphere. The accompanying musicians are a showcase for the European idea: Some German musicians, a band from the Netherlands and the English Singer/songwriter/Guitarist Allan Taylor. Highly recommended to all who like to experience that there is some really great German folk music available.
Thein, Blumenthalstrasse 8, D-28209 Bremen. Tel. +49 421 348049.
Michael Moll

Skyedance "Way out to Hope Street"
(with Alasdair Fraser, Eric Rigler, Chris Norman, Paul Machlis, Mick Linden, Peter Maund)
Label: Culburnie Records; CUL111D During the recording of his Indie Award winning album "Dawn Dance", Alasdair Fraser, one of the best Scottish fiddlers, has gathered the Skyedance band around him. This instrumental band features Wooden Flute (Chris Norman), Scottish & Irish Bagpipes (Eric Rigler), Piano & Keyboards (Paul Machlis), Fretless Bass (Mick Linden) and Percussion (Peter Maund). All are skilled musicians, and nearly every Skyedance member contributes also his own tunes. Only one set is traditional Scottish; nevertheless you can feel the deep Scottish roots combined with different other influences such as Medieval, Classic, Jazz etc. Skyedance's music sounds on this album more quiet and round than on "Dawn Dance"; maybe with less force.
This is one of the most exciting Scottish instrumental bands (although all members live in the US). If you have get the chance to see them, don't miss it!
Culburnie Records.
Christian Moll

Danú "Danú"
Label: own label; TM002 This is a must for all lovers of traditional irish music! These six young men have tremendous skills on their instruments; they do not just rush through fast tunes, but they also take the time to play beautifully slowly. Danú features Daire Bracken on Fiddle, Tom Doorley on Flute and Eammon Doorley on Bouzouki, Donnchadh Gough on Uilleann Pipes and Bodhràn, Benny McCarthy on accordion, Timmy Murray on Guitar and finally the magnificent traditional singer Cárthach Mac Craith, who contibutes two gaelic songs in sean nòs style. Superb!
Distribution: Claddagh, Ireland; Tel +353-1-6770262 Fax+353-1-6793664
Christian Moll

Fergie MacDonald "the 21st album"
Traditional Ceilidh Music
Label: Greentrax Recordings; CDTRAX129 This is the 21st album of the man known for his red socks and his skills on the accordion. Fergie has chosen again young up and coming musicians to join him in his band. On this CD you will find very traditional scottish ceilidh music (always with accordion and drums) ideal for dancing...
Greentrax Recordings , Tel.+44-1875-814155 Fax +44-1875-813545
Christian Moll

Isla St. Clair "Tatties & Herrin': The Land"
Isla St. Clair "Tatties & Herrin': The Sea"
Label: Greentrax Recordings; CDTRAX145/146

Tatties and Herrin' was a BBC Radio 2 series on the traditional fishing and farming industries by famous Scottish singer Isla St. Clair. Here we have a CD reissue of the programme which was live recorded in a little village hall in Northamptonshire. Isla sings mainly traditional songs, and there are also a few songs of Isla's mother Zetta Sinclair and contemporary songwriters. Inbetween she tells stories on the songs and traditional way of life in the North East; the one focused on the land, the other on the sea. The crowd who turned up at the village hall made an enthusiastic choir for the choruses - the result is an authentic atmosphere of a Scottish singalong.
Greentrax Recordings , Tel.+44-1875-814155 Fax +44-1875-813545
Michael Moll

Robin Laing "The Angels' Share"
Label: Greentrax Recordings A great album on a great thing! Theme of this album is Whisky - Scottish singer/songwriter Robin Laing has made the affort to collect many great songs on that theme, and has also written some himself. Our favourites are 'Our Glens', 'Nancys' Whisky', Robins own 'More than just a dram', 'Tak' a Dram', and, and, and. There is no song on the album to miss! The show is also not to be missed. A CD full of Scottish culture, not just for Whisky-Lovers - a joy of living.
Greentrax Recordings , Tel.+44-1875-814155 Fax +44-1875-813545
Michael Moll

Eliza Carthy & The Kings of Calicutt "Eliza Carthy & The Kings of Calicutt"
Label: Topic Records; TSCD89 Eliza Carthy, the young Queen of English traditional music has recorded together with her new band 'The kings of Calicutt' a traditional English folk rock album. Fiddle, drums, melodeon, hammered dulcimer, bass, singing (of Eliza and some 'Kings') and cool press fotos - traditional music from England is given a new young image with this band.
Topic Records, 50 Stroud Green Rd., London N4 3EF
Christian Moll

Chateau Neuf Spelemannslag "Tjuvegods"
Label: Grappa, Oslo Chateau Neuf Spelemannslag are, if you don't know them, one of the new representants of Norwegian folk music. The 'folk-bigband' (19 musicians) combine the unique Norwegian singing of up to four women with a huge diversity of instruments: From the hardigfele over clarinette, sax, piano, pipes, guitar to electric guitar, bass and drums. Their second CD is full of great music - not to be missed!
Grappa, Oslo
Christian Moll

Andy Shanks & Jim Russell "Diamonds in the Night"
Label: Culburnie Records The debut album of this very promising Singer/Songwriter duo from Scotland has a unique appeal. The songs, mostly written by both together, are all sung by Andy who also plays guitar. Jim joins him on guitar, whistle, Melodeon and more. A good album, full of great lyrics and unexpected melodies...
Culburnie Records.
Michael Moll

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