Issue 31 1/2006
FolkWorld CD Reviews
Terne chave "Kaj Dzas"
Label: Indies;
MAM-247 2004
This band from Slovakia plays old songs which they have learned from their grandparents
combined with own compositions. Although the gypsy music is essential in their
music, it doesn't stop there. They use influences from flamenco, rock, French
chanson and many other styles. The cd is best described as a straight on gypsy-rock
cd with solid and easy to listen to rock tunes. A real beauty is the song coripen
which is a duet between the lead singer of the band and Marina Pommier on guest
leadvocals. There is also some reggae style in Suno dzavas and the cd contains
four live bonustracks from a concert in Prague. What you get when you buy this
cd is a band who enjoys what their doing. They sound energetic, intense and
both modern and traditional. Music that brings positive energy to your life,
much cheaper than your psychiatrist.
Homepage of the artist: www.ternechave.net
Eelco Schilder
Strada "Gadje"
Label: XXII
records; 2-1432 2002
Gadje, not a group of East-European musicians as you might expect. This group
comes from Canada and plays music of the nomads. They play songs from countries
such as Macedonia, Hungary, Greece, Italy, Spain and so on. The cd contains
sixteen songs and dances played on Clarinets, flutes, bagpipe, violin percussion
etc. The cd makes a strong start with the Macedonian song Zensko oro which is
a bit melancholic, followed by the Hungarian song Szarcsiriklyi which has a
strong vocal part. The next five tracks are from Greece, varies from a ballad
to typical Greece dance music. An absolute highlight is the Italian song Balla
della sposa. What a fantastic vocals and rhythms. The same goes for the Basque
and three Spanish songs that follow, I think this Southern-Europe part of the
cd is absolutely the strongest part. It surprises me how these non native musicians
often manage to catch the right atmosphere of the countries the music originally
comes from. This Gadje is a strong musical production with skilled musicians
and a great choice of repertoire. The interpretations of the ancient music is
fresh and light, it never gets to complicated and is a constant pleasure to
listen to.
Homepage of the artist: www.strada.ca
Eelco Schilder
Terre differenti "Cities of dreams"
Label: Private cd 2005-05-22
Terre differenti is an Italian world-fusion ensemble which with Cities of dreams
has released their second cd. The band originally excists out of five musicians
but on this cd they are with fourteen in total. With both traditional and modern
instruments they create a whole new world in sound. Mixing ancient music with
ambient, electronics and jazz, their music listens like I'm on a trip around
the world. I hear an angel whispering to me in Different lands, feel the rainforest
in god of thunder and taste the darkness in Under moons of jade. This music
is like a modern symphony or a musical fairy tale. It's the ambient style that
dominates the music mostly on the cd. It has some beautiful moments with exiting
and surprising music. But it also sounds a bit mannered on several occasions
as if the urge of creating something new was bigger than the urge to make music.
An intriguing cd made by a creative group of musicians. But for me personally
it feels more like music from the mind than music from the heart and I'm afraid
that in the end I will like the music from the heart more.
Homepage of the artist: www.terredifferenti.com
Eelco Schilder
Dvergmål "Song i himmelsalar"
Label: Heilo;
7192 2004
A group from Norway which was formed when the musicians, all from other parts
of Norway met. They released their first cd in 1996 which was nominated for
the Norwegian Grammy award. Typical of their music is the harmony vocals and
the sound of the langeleik (kind of zither), hardanger fiddle, jew's harp and
willow pipe. Many of their songs are old hymns while others are folk poems of
Elias Blix. Sweet, sober and a bit introvert music which has a deep soul. It
took me a few times listening before I could really catch the spirit of this
cd. At first it sounded a bit to soft but the more I listen the more the music
gets me. It's of such a purity which is hard to find these days. Often we don't
realise that Hymns are a part of the music-tradition of a country. Somehow in
Norway they have been aware of this for decades and Dvergmål is one of the best
examples how a young band keeps this tradition alive in beautiful and intense
music.
Eelco Schilder
Paul Vens and friends "Daughters of light"
Label: Private v904 2004
The Dutch musician Paul Vens has been active with music for a few decades. His
music often has a singer-songwriter kind of style with folk and new-age influences.
Although I reviewed this last two cd's as well and found some beautiful songs
on these two, this cd is to much new-age for me. It contains six compositions
on the Tibetan singing bowls which are meant to give rest to the restless. The
other six songs are ethereal soundscapes and fingerpicking and stand far from
the nice folksongs I mentioned earlier. This is too much new age for a folkmagazine,
there are moments that this music does give me comfort and joy but unfortunately
at this moments I have other ways to relax and find my inner peace.
Homepage of the artist: www.paulvens.nl
Eelco Schilder
Various artists "All children in school"
Label: Forest
hill; 01; 2004
A project in co-operation with UNICEF and Audrey Hepburn. This is a compilation
cd of a box with a book including photographs made by Hepburn. A nice collection
of worldmusic artists such as Dulce Pontes, Uxia, Ani di Franco, Omara Portuondo
and many others. A good way to support one of the most important children right
foundations and also surprise yourself with a nice collection of music
Eelco Schilder
Ulrike Dangendorf "Spuren"
Label: Westpark;
87109 2004
Ulrike Dangendorf is a German Accordionist and composer who has been playing
the instrument since she was six. In the past few years she did several projects
including composing and playing music for film and a few solo projects. Spuren
is a solo cd without any other musician. Her music is a combination of many
styles, mostly in a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. I hear some blues, light
jazz, some worldmusic influences and a touch of classical music. Dangendorf
is a master on her instrument, not only technically, she also knows how to put
emotion in her play. Her compositions are not experimental in any way, they
are easy to listen to without being wall-paper music. She has something to tell
and expresses that through her music. A very pleasant cd indeed!
Homepage of the artist: www.ulrike-dangendorf.de
Eelco Schilder
Shunsuke Mizuno "Slow time"
Label: Ozella;
OZ 007 2005-05-22
Shunsuku Mizuno is a Japanese player of the contrabass and is a specialist in
Asiatic music. Together with Miwa Insaba on koto and Aya Motohashi on Japanese
oboe, he forms a trio that gives regular performances and now recorded this
cd. The cd contains light jazz music with a clear Japanese traditional sound.
In tunes like Song of the birds it is the jazz that takes control. While in,
for example, rain in the distance the music sounds much more typically Japanese.
The musicians play in a very tender way as if they are almost afraid to touch
their instruments. It's nice to hear how the trio brings together the Asiatic
music with the more Western jazz sound. In a Starry night in shamghai even an
harmonica takes the lead and the music is taken into a dark jazz club somewhere
in the centre of a dark town. This slow time is a beautiful cd with fragile
music which gets under my skin and somehow gives me a feeling of melancholy.
Eelco Schilder
Lesley Curtis "Shock delayed"
Label: Organicblond 301 2003
The English singer-songwriter Lesley Curtis has been the leading lady of a band
called the stretch which excised in the eighties. Since 1991 she plays solo
and it took 12 years for this first solo cd to appear. Lesley Curtis doesn't
have an easy voice to listen to. It has an own style and sound which is definitely
not the ordinary thirteen in a dozen sound. Her music is closer to the singer-songwriters
from the US than from the UK. It has a light Americana sound, but mostly is
just decent rock music. The problem I have with this cd is that during the whole
cd I have the feeling that something went wrong in the recording studio. The
instruments and especially the drums have an annoying sharp sound. The cd also
lacks a good cohesive of the instrument and the vocals in a few songs like in
the opening-track. These technical things wouldn't be a problem when a cd contains
some world shocking music, unfortunately this cd doesn't. The songs are to common
and her voice, which is really promising, is in my opinion not suitable for
this kind of middle of the road folkpop. She has this voice with which she can
sing sharp and dark ballads, dark and dangerous music but instead she choose
to sing brave "nothing going on" songs and her voice just doesn't work for me
in this type of music.
Homepage of the artist: www.lesleycurtis.co.uk
Eelco Schilder
R. Carlos Nakai quartet "People of peace"
Label: Canyon
records; 7069; 2004
Various artists "Native American moods"
Label: Makoche
records; vldcd 25235 2003
Sometimes I'm doubting if I'm writing for the wrong magazine. That happens when
I got a cd like People of peace in my hands on which "Native American
music" is turned into new age wallpaper. So without any creativity, all these
cd's sound the same and should capture the spirit of an ancient culture. It
doesn't work for me and I'm sure it never will. Much more interesting is the
cd Native American moods on which various artists bring both modern and traditional
music from the Native Americans. Without the new-age sound the music is so much
more interesting. Some nice pop songs, friendly rock ballads and all with a
clear link to traditional music. If you like to get to know the Native American
music, than I recommend this collection of artists who show at least many kinds
of the music and not help you to fall asleep within two minutes like the People
of peace cd does.
Eelco Schilder
Barry McLoughlin "Pieces"
Label: Narrativemusic;
0559 2004
Barry McLoughlin is an Irish born singer-songwriter who lives in Ontario, Canada
nowadays. He is influenced by names such as Gordon Lightfoot, Kris Kristofferson
and Harry Chapin. He won his first folk competition at the age of 15. Pieces
is his debut cd which contains 14 very nice original songs. Only a singer with
his guitar helped by Mike Dillon on bass, electric guitar, bodhran etc. The
music does remind me of the American singer-songwriter music of the seventies
with often a romantic nature. Love and girls are the main topics of his songs,
without being to sentimental or to sweet. The music has some light Irish touches
but should be considered as pure acoustic singer-songwriter. McLoughlin has
a strong voice which is a pleasure to listen to and fits his bit romantic music
perfectly. The same for the instruments, well arranged and play in a gentle
but professional way perfectly fitting his voice and songs. A strong debut cd
from this Irish/Canadian singer-songwriter.
Eelco Schilder
Various Artists "An t-Eilean"
Label: Macmeanmna SKYECD 30; 14 tracks, 58
minutes
Dedfinitely worth a listen: this is a mix of old and new music, loosely based
on the mass emigration from Skye to Prince Edward Island in 1803. Many of Skye's
finest musicians are represented, including Blair Douglas and Anne Martin, as
well as PEI musicians and singers. The material on An t-Eilean stretches
from Celtic Cowboy country to straight traditional and back again, with the
roots of Runrig in there somewhere. The opening Skye Pioneers combines
accordion and blues guitar, and the beautiful song Eilean an Àigh
is achingly poignant in any language. Calum MacMhannainn's poem Imrich nan
Eileanach is set to a thinking man's new-age piece by Blair Douglas, and
followed by a set of traditional pipe tunes played by Angus MacKenzie of Dàimh.
To say that there's something for everyone here would be an exaggeration, but
if there's nothing to your taste on An t-Eilean you should probably forget
about music from Skye: this CD is an excellent sample of the island's rich musical
culture.
The good stuff continues with a gentle waltz and a blaring brassy pipe jig by
Neil Campbell of MacBeat, another great traditional song, and a medley of fine
new tunes by PEI fiddler Emma Swinnerton. The classic Cumha Crann nan Teud
is as clear as a bell on Eilidh MacLeod's solo clarsach, and Roy Johnstone's
Skye Suite includes some catchy melodies as well as some red-hot down-home
fiddling. An t-Eilean finishes with two spine-tingling tracks, Hector
MacKenzie's pipe air Saors' agus Sìth and Blair's thoroughly modern
magic on the title track. The only down side of An t-Eilean is that there's
actually very little information about who plays what when: apart from that,
the notes are informative and the whole package is attractively presented. Check
out www.gaelicmusic.com for more information.
Alex Monaghan
Roddy Campbell & friends "Back to Barra"
Label: Barra Records 001; 17 tracks, 60 minutes
Why do people buy CDs? Because they admire the artist: here are some of Scotland's
finest, including Roddy Campbell and his children Rory and Marianne, singers
Cathy-Ann MacPhee and Karen Matheson, Maeve MacKinnon, Maggie MacInnes and many
more. Because they love the music: Back to Barra presents seventeen tracks
of Gaelic song and instrumentals from the vibrant heart of the Hebridean tradition.
Because it's in a good cause: all profits from this album will go towards a
hospice on the relatively unspoilt and sadly neglected island of Barra. Three
out of three ain't bad!
The musicians on Back to Barra have given their time and talents to this
worthy cause. In the process, they've produced a stupendous snapshot of Barra
music past and present. Roddy and family are joined by a host of Hebridean luminaries:
Maeve MacKinnon, Maggie MacInnes, Chrissie MacDonald and Flora MacNeil have
all contributed tracks from previous albums, and there's new material from The
Vatersay Boys, Coma-Co-Dhiubh, Clò na Nighean, Murdo MacDonald, Archie
MacLean, and sisters Catriona and Lisa MacKinnon. Fifteen tracks are based around
those stunning Gaelic vocals, with arrangements from traditional tweed-thumping
to toe-tapping techno. One of the instrumental tracks features the Campbell
family band in fine style.
As if that wasn't enough, there are some jaw-dropping moments of brilliance.
Roddy Campbell's Gaelic version of Peggy Gordon is a cracker. Rubh'
nan Cudaigean is transformed by Coma-Co-Dhuibh into one of the most exciting
pieces of mouth music I've ever heard. Archie MacLean and Roddy Campbell give
Mod singing a good name with Gruagach Og an Fhuilt Bhain, beautiful deep
flute and rich vocals. The obligatory break-neck barndance comes from The Vatersay
Boys, with an excellent trio of tunes including Father John MacMillan of
Barra. Roddy Campbell finishes off this hour of exceptional music with Theid
Mi Bharraigh, a fitting tribute to the island, which is also provided as
a bonus video track. So there you go: buy one. Buy several. Browse to www.barrarecords.com
or email jean@iorram.fsnet.co.uk
or ring Jean Campbell on 01786 812098 in the UK. What could be simpler?
Alex Monaghan
Beoga "A Lovely Madness"
Label: Own label BMCD001; 11 tracks, 44 minutes
I haven't had so much fun from a CD in years. A Lovely Madness is a joy
from start to finish. Following in the footsteps of Reeltime and North Cregg,
and touching the greatness of La Bottine Souriante and The Old Rope String Band,
Beoga show how much life and exuberance can be injected into traditional music
by a bunch of mad Bs. Here, B stands for box-players (two of them: Sean Og Graham
and Damian McKee), bodhránist (Eamon Murray) and backing keyboards-player
(Liam Bradley).
Basically this is accordion music, A Lovely Madness if ever there was
one. There are bits of Astor Piazzola's bandoneon tango mastery, bits of Quebecois
squeezery, a large dollop of Sliabh Luachra wizardry, and not a little Beoga
alchemy to make the whole thing zing. As Sandy Brechin put it, "It's accordion
music, Jim, but not as we know it." The sound is spectacular from the off, Kerry
polkas meeting Paris Rive Gauche on Prelude Polka. The boys can do slow
and soulful too: the languid slip-jig Soggy's is a muted masterpiece,
and The Solid Man is one of those haunting slow airs which seem so simple
once someone writes them down. In between, Beoga squeeze out a range of tunes
and tempos from Riverdance to Porgy & Bess: the 12/8 jig Exploding Bow,
the offbeat reel Beoga, the slow drag Funk in Class, and a couple
of big bouncy hornpipes. They also do totally trad as well as anyone, perfectly
demonstrated on Jack Maguire's Reel and The Heathery Breeze.
Beoga's material comes mainly from the twisted minds of Damian and Sean Og,
who contribute fifteen tunes between them. The other eight are mainly traditional.
There's a heavy bias towards hornpipes at various tempos, which is fine by me:
hornpipes and squeezeboxes were made for each other, and the humble hornpipe
deserves at least as much respect as the revered reel. All in all, A Lovely
Madness has to be on anyone's list for outstanding traditional music. Catch
them live, or browse through www.beogamusic.com
for more info.
Alex Monaghan
Brendan Power "Tradish"
Label: Own Label Tethnik 109, 15 tracks, 62
minutes
Quantity and quality in a nice green box. With 13 tracks of Brendan's own tunes
and only two trad arrs, the album title is stretching a point but you won't
hear better Irish-style mouth-organ. Some of the material has been around the
block. Brendan's M1 Reel is already familiar from other musicians' repertoires.
Jig Jazz was the title track of Brendan's second album, and is reworked
here. Farewell to Muswell Hill is no stranger either. Other tracks are
as fresh as the clover on the cover. The Dingle Angle gives a fair idea
of what's in store for the next hour: hard-hitting harmonica with plenty of
bottom-end backing, fancy facework with the emphasis firmly on fun.
Brendan's mouthies are joined by Steve Cooney's guitar and Greg Sheehan's tambourine
(honest!) on most tracks. There are cameos from Andy Irvine, Gerry "banj" O'Connor,
Declan Masterson and others. Mick Kinsella duets on harp for the deep dark Real
Blues Reel, and there are memorable moments from great English guitarists
Ian Carr and Chris Newman. The Bloom of Youth is the only track which
might be almost pure Irish: Gerry O'Connor sparkles as always, and the groove
is somewhere between Naas and Nashville. Elsewhere the Irish flavour is blended
with blues, big band and Bulgarian. Mainly Bulgarian, which might not be surprising
after Brendan's stint with Riverdance. Sweet Bulgarity could be one of
Bill Whelan's 7/8 gems, and the traditional Danubska Horo fits perfectly
between the mayhem of Monaco Madness and the mellow M1 Reel. Lots
to recommend this album, then: look out for it in the shops, or try www.brendan-power.com
for online ordering and some sample tracks.
Alex Monaghan
Niall Vallely "Buílle"
Label: Vertical VERTCD071, 10 tracks, 46 minutes
Irish concertina genius Niall Vallely has been quiet of late, but this recording
with brother Caoimhín on keyboards and Paul Meehan on guitars is a timely
reminder of his brilliance and style. Buílle is mostly Niall's
own tunes, often in the Irish or Scottish idiom, and invariably played with
the type of flair and musicality which most of us can only wonder at.
Niall kicks off with one of his trademark finger-blistering reels, shaking that
hexagonal magic box like it was a Bond martini. This man can do pyrotechnics
with his eyes shut, but Buílle isn't all flash and burn. Farewell
to McCarthy's is a perfectly paced slow jig, sad but with just a hint of
swagger. Singing Stream Air is simply beautiful, and should be set to
Gaelic words about unrequited love or maybe fratricide. Mullacreevie
is back to the fireworks factory, a savage whirl of notes, not the sort of dance
music where the dancer can win. Longnancy's is more familiar, a jig in
the classic style, plenty of swagger and just the right turn of speed. It's
paired with the traditional Winnie Hayes' Jig. If it's unfamiliar you're
after, try Eleven Eight, not an Ireland-England rugby result but a bewildering
Balkan rhythm.
The accompaniment throughout is flawless. Brian Morrissey chips in on bodhrán
occasionally. Paul and Caoimhín both have their solo moments, on Longnancy's
and Gleann an Phréacháin respectively, but Buílle
is all about the concertina and the man behind it. This CD should join Niall
Vallely's excellent previous albums as a classic of new Irish music. Miss it
if you dare.
Alex Monaghan
Ciaran Tourish "Down The Line"
Label: Compass Records 4407, 10 tracks, 38
minutes
At last, Altan's fiddler gets a solo CD together. "Solo" in the modern sense:
Ciaran is joined by a fiddler's dozen guests, including three singers, but Down
The Line is clearly stamped with the Tourish brand. As well as four tracks
of traditional fiddle and one true solo track show-casing Ciaran's lesser-known
whistling, there are three songs cherished and chosen (but thankfully not sung)
by Ciaran. Two Tourish compositions complete the tally: the flashing twisting
western-style waltz Carlisle Bay, which perhaps partly explains Altan's
flirtations with American roots music, and the sultry slow reel Oldtown
which shares its name with my canoe but sounds closer to Afro-Latin funk than
duelling banjos. Songs are provided by Paul Brady, Tim O'Brien and Maura O'Connell,
three very individual voices. Dreams Will Come is a Brady composition
with exemplary fiddle and whistle backing from our man in Buncrana. Ciaran plays
the same role on Are You Tired Of Me?, the tragic bluegrass tale of a
woman forced to communicate in winks and glances: Tim O'Brien doesn't specify
whether this is a temporary restriction or a permanent disability. Maura O'Connell
wraps her smoky voice round Slan Le Maigh and sears the ears, while Ciaran
whistles sweetly and Paul pumps the keyboards.
The fiddling is what you'd expect: powerful, assured handling of heavyweight
tunes. Lord Gordon's, Lucy Campbell's and The Flogging come from
the Irish-Scottish cross-over in Donegal. Ciaran trots out some lighter stuff
too, floating the bow and adding masterly flourishes: Famous Ballymote
and Paddy Taylor's Jig shower fresh rosin on old favourites, The Cordal
Jig seems to be enjoying a renaissance just now, and Flowers of Edinburgh
is a pleasant surprise on an Irish recording. Flawless guitar accompaniment
is supplied by Arty McGlynn and Paul Brady, and Jim Higgins bangs things together
artfully in the background. Port Na bPucai contains all the expressiveness
of Ciaran's solo whistle, an enchanting performance of a magical tune, using
natural breathiness to good effect. Forty minutes fly by: I could have listened
to twice as much, but Mr Tourish is smooth enough and showman enough to leave
us wanting more. You won't be satisfied by Down The Line, you'll be longing
for Ciaran Tourish's second album - due around 2025.
Alex Monaghan
Peatbog Faeries "Croftwork"
Label: Own label CDBOG 002, 11 tracks, 56
minutes
Another rich and varied instrumental maelstrom from these highland head-bangers:
Croftwork is slicker, funkier, harder hitting, and slightly less chaotic
than the Peatbogs' previous three albums (we don't generally refer to them as
the Faeries nowadays). The material on this CD is pretty much original, and
pretty much by Peter Morrison.
Starting from the full-on Celtic metal of Scots on the Rocks, the mix
continues with breathy New Age whistle on Weakening, and eerie, darkly
hypnotic pipes & fiddle on the title track The excellent punchy funky Latin
feel to The Anthropologist is a clear highlight, and contrasts starkly
with the slow whistle/fiddle air When the Seahound Left Me - presumably
named for a lost love. Decisions Decisions, a gentle nocturne for acoustic
guitar and weirdness, is coupled to a driving fiddle reel with more weirdness.
Veganites is another punchy, funky, dancey number, and Trans-Island
Express returns to dark and spooky mode with added Shooglenifty-style vocals.
The Great Ceilidh Swindle takes traditional Scottish dance music and
twists it beyond all recognition, Drone Age is just strange, and finally,
All About Windmills presents an engaging series of jig-time variations
with solo breaks and lush ensemble sections.
The whole Croftwork thing is an enjoyable diversion from musical convention,
full of surprises but still loosely tied to its pipe and fiddle heritage. Give
it a whirl: www.peatbogfaeries.com
is there to help and bemuse you.
Alex Monaghan
Darren Maloney "Who?"
Label: Own Label, 12 tracks, 50 minutes
Good question. From County Cavan, and relatively unknown even inside Ireland
(two apparently unrelated facts), Darren Maloney is among the hottest and fanciest
banjo players I've ever heard. On a par with Seamus Egan or Enda Scahill, he's
not too far behind Brian Kelly either: he also writes some great tunes, many
of them on this debut CD. So why haven't we heard of him before? Well, Cavan
is a little off the beaten track, and judging by the cover photo Darren doesn't
get out much. But I bet we'll be seeing more of him now.
From the quirky Atholl's slip-jig to the ramrod-straight Reel des
Cinq Journelles, through the jauntiness of Annaghmakerrig and the
gentle sweetness of Vonnie's, the banjo bobs and weaves over percussion
and guitars. Kandy Girls is a wonderful tune, capturing the twirling,
twinkling fun of Kandyan dance. Singing in Irun adds a charming Hispanic
touch, and sits well with Bela Fleck's catchy jig Maura on a Bicycle.
Darren's own compositions are joined by classics old and new: the reel Catharsis,
the jig Con Cassidy's, and others.
Who? is one of the most enjoyable and impressive debut albums to come
my way in years. It's fresh and lively, technically first class, and full of
respect for the music. In these days of everyone making a CD in their garden
shed, it's a rare pleasure to hear one as good as this. Hunt Darren Maloney
down: www.darrenmaloney.com might
be a good place to start.
Alex Monaghan
David Power "My Love is in America"
Label: Claddagh Records CCF37CD, 15 tracks,
45 minutes
Precision piping it ain't, but it more than makes up for that in richness of
tone and blitheness of spirit. David Power has taken his time before making
a debut CD: gone is the teenage technical perfection, the slavish obedience
to the tune, and the desire to play at speeds which render the regulators redundant.
Instead, this recording showcases a measured and relaxed approach to the Irish
piping tradition, teasing the meat off the bones of some great old tunes, to
provide a veritable feast for the ears. A glorious romp through Madame Bonaparte,
a gutsy swagger on Saddle the Pony, and the full gamut of emotions and
effects on the classic Fox Chase: that's just first impressions.
There's real depth to the slow airs Tomorrow is St Patrick's Day, Women
of Loughrea and The Bonny Bunch of Roses, helped by the beautiful
mellow tone of David's flat pipes playing two semitones below concert D. The
hornpipes are also something special, an under-rated form which sparkles here
as David does full justice to Bantry Bay and Standing Abbey. And
of course there are plenty of reels and jigs served up piping hot: Boys of
the Town, The Green Mountain, Cailleach an Airgid, and a rousing
finish with George White's Favourite.
A notable characteristic of this CD is that all accompaniment is provided by
the drones and regulators of the uillean pipes: this is a true solo recording,
but David Power is so adept at accompanying himself that the absence of other
musicians is never felt. Few of today's pipers can make better use of the instrument's
accompaniment potential than this young man. Add some fascinating sleevenotes
and the usual high standard of Claddagh production, and My Love is in America
makes a powerful impression on all fronts.
Alex Monaghan
Paul Dooley "Music from the Robert Ap Huw Manuscript
1"
Label: Own Label, 6 tracks, 51 minutes
Remember Ann Heymann's album Queen of Harps? That's the only thing I
can think of which is similar to this recording. Paul Dooley has taken his Irish
wire-strung small harp and applied it to ancient Welsh music of a type we almost
never hear today. The results are amazing, entrancing, and uplifting. Prepare
to have your eyes and ears opened.
Several people have suggested that the big Scottish piping pieces derived from
harp music. The material here would support them: it's big, it's complex, and
it requires serious attention from performer and audience alike. Paul has recorded
three of the shorter pieces from this 17th-century manuscript, and three of
the longer works, giving a feel for the range of music preserved in these seventy
pages. At just over two minutes, Caniad y Gwyn Bibydd is the shortest,
and that's because it was a joke at the expense of some piper who couldn't match
the harp for complexity or staying power. The twenty-one minutes of Caniad
Llywelyn Delynior may seem hard to take, until you realise that it was probably
intended as a lullaby for Welsh aristocrats - anyone who was still awake after
this was clearly going to see the dawn.
Like much early music, the harmonies and progressions on this recording are
hypnotic and visceral, bypassing our conventions of musical form and going straight
to the hindbrain. It's tempting to drift off, eyes open or closed, and float
on the tide of notes which wash back and forth across the strings. There's a
spiritual, mystical quality which is quite different from the cheap modern imitations
in New Age music. Definitely worth a listen, and a must for harp afficionados.
Paul's website www.pauldooley.com has
lots of fascinating info, and you can pick up his exquisite first album Rip
The Calico.
Alex Monaghan
Duncan Dyker & Friends "Collectors' Items"
Label: Highland Music Trust HMTCD1, 16 tracks,
59 minutes
The Highland Music Trust offers us three dozen tunes from the great 18th- and
19th-century Scottish composers and collectors, an impressive cross-section
of a golden age in Scottish music. Duncan Dyker is a fine fiddler and arranger,
and a good laugh too: he's joined on Collectors' Items by several other
well-known Scottish musicians, including Dougie Pincock on pipes and the like.
In amongst the strathspeys and reels are several beautiful slow airs and a cracking
trio of Robert Mackintosh jigs which more than hold their own in exalted company.
There are also two songs: a passable rendition of My Love is Like a Red Red
Rose (don't give up the day job) and a Gaelic song of unrequited love from
the pure and haunting voice of Jean Mackay.
The steady pace of some tracks may surprise listeners who are unfamiliar with
highland fiddle societies. Occasionally the music is dragged down a little,
but most of this CD is taken at a perfect pace for full appreciation of these
classic melodies. Bog an Lochan, Hector the Hero, The Baker and many
other well-known tunes take on a new dimension at this tempo. Less familiar
gems are also more accessible: Leslie is a very appealing reel, easy
on the ear like the most melodious of Shetland music, and Aldivalloch
is a flawless peach of a slow air. The Roslin Castle set is my personal
favourite, one of Scotland's most gorgeous airs followed by a powerful strathspey
and culminating in the eerie reel The Witches: eat your heart out, Dan
Brown.
Collectors' Items is available from www.heallan.com and proves beyond
doubt that 18th-century Scottish fiddle music isn't just for collectors. I'd
recommend this to fiddlers, musicians, dancers and anyone who enjoys good Scottish
music well played. This is the perfect complement to the Highland Music Trust
range of printed music.
Alex Monaghan
Eliot Grasso "Standing Room Only"
Label: Own label, 11 tracks, 46 minutes
Virtuoso piping is a weakness of mine, and this CD hits the spot. Eliot Grasso's
repertoire includes such staples as Garrett Barry's, Toss the
Feathers and The Monaghan Twig, as well as the ever popular Tommy
Peoples' and Gan Ainm, yet there is nothing common about his performance
of these well-known melodies. More unusual tunes such as Palm Sunday
and Farewell to Kilroe are delightfully played, and Eliot has expertly
adapted tunes by Ronnie Cooper and Jerry Holland to the uilleann pipes. There's
also a handful of his own tunes here, well-crafted and catchy pieces.
The single slow air The Satin Slipper is also the single track which
shows much use of the drones and regulators. Like most young pipers, Eliot concentrates
on chanter pyrotechnics and leaves accompaniment to the accompanists. Zan McLeod
and Andy Thurston take turns in this role, and fiddle parts are provided by
Patrick Mangan and Jim Eagan on four tracks, but there's no real distraction
from the brilliant and compelling piping which Eliot exhibits throughout Standing
Room Only. If it's excitement you're after, and pipes are your bag, then
this is an album for you. And I'd say there's plenty more where this came from:
Mr Grasso has now turned 20, but this album was recorded in 2002 when he was
just a teenager. Roll on his next recording: I'd love to hear what he sounds
like now. If you find him playing far from his native Baltimore USA, don't miss
him - and let me know!
Alex Monaghan
Chris Norman Ensemble "In the Fields in Frost
and Snow"
Label: Boxwood Media BOX904, 11 tracks, 63
minutes
Subtitled "A Message of Good Cheer", this CD is a collection of tunes for winter
and Christmas. From French Canadian carols to The Snowflake Hornpipe,
from Christmas Eve Reel to Huron Carol, every tune here is both
traditional and seasonal. The Chris Norman Ensemble treats us to acoustic arrangements
on flute, pipes, bass, percussion, guitar, mandola and keyboards, with several
vocal tracks in English and old French. The whole thing is built around Chris
Norman's phenomenal flute-playing, ranging across, Scottish, Irish, and North
American traditions.
There's a fine mix of styles here. Starting with Irish polkas, we move to the
Renaissance grandeur of the title track with a bit of World Music thrown in,
then the first vocals: three male voices in unison. Next, Suzie LeBlanc provides
guest vocals on Or Nous Dites Marie, a beautiful duet with the flute.
This sublime track is followed by a set of three Scottish reels, including one
of my favourites The Ale is Dear - how true. The well-known Huron
Carol is joined by two French Canadian tunes, including the cheerful Starvation
Waltz: Chris switches to lowland pipes for a rich earthy sound here.
A trio of hornpipes is the first excuse for an explosion of virtuoso fluting:
Star in the East is taken at a bruising pace with accidentals flashing
past in a blur. Another French Canadian medley adds Ms LeBlanc's voice to the
male trio, and then we hear Mr Norman's flute in slow mode as he teases every
tendril of emotion from Let the Wind Blow High or Low. The three reels
which follow are powerful ensemble pieces. Good King Wenceslas provides
the excuse for a second flute cadenza, with five minutes of variations, and
the album finishes with three-part male harmony vocals on Sound Your Instruments
of Joy. Well, nobody can accuse these guys of not doing that! Great flute-playing,
and a yuletide CD with a difference: In the Fields in Frost and Snow
is available from www.boxwood.org and from
specialist shops. Remember: a Chris Norman CD isn't just for Christmas, but
it's a good reason to buy one for your friends.
Alex Monaghan
Funky String Band "Mongrel Unleashed"
Label: Shoogle Records 05004, 12 tracks, 47
minutes
Basically, it does exactly what it says on the tin. It's a band, it's string,
and it's funky. Marvellous stuff, string: this particular batch belongs to the
fiddle and mandolin players from Shooglenifty, Angus R Grant and Luke Plumb,
plus a mysterious singer/guitarist known as Peter Daffy. The trio's repertoire
is string band music with a shoogle: a large dollop of Scots and Irish with
the Americana, and boy is it funky. Hot Club de Paisley, perhaps.
Rough'n'ready is the name of the game, with the whole album recorded in a week
and plenty of off-mike snippets included in the finished product. Starting with
the Shooglenifty-style funk of Tommy's Shades, this CD swings from tunes
to songs, trad to soul and back again. The four songs from Daffy are good fun
in a sparse jump-jive sort of way, and the old-time influence fits surprisingly
well with the Celtic trad feel of most tracks. Amidst highlights aplenty, I'll
mention Neil Gow's tune Miss Dundas and Wat Ye Wha I Met Yestreen,
two contrasting gems from the golden age of Scottish fiddle music. Luke Plumb's
gorgeous slow air The Old School House is up there with the best of them,
and Houghton House is a great wee reel nicely handled here.
It's not all roses: there's a disappointing version of Corkhill, a great
pipe jig which cries out for funk and was done so much better by Sandy Coghill.
And there are a couple of places where the production is a little too rough
for comfort. Nonetheless, Mongrel Unleashed is great fun and jam packed
with top quality tunes. Definitely worth a listen: widely available, and easy
to Google.
Alex Monaghan
Matt & Shannon Heaton "Dearga"
Label: Eats Records ESL CD 004, 13 tracks,
52 minutes
From Boston USA, or thereabouts, Matt and Shannon have forged an authentic link
to Irish music. Fluter Shannon is confident and accomplished, with beautiful
tone, on traditional pieces such as the opening My Love is in America
and on her many compositions which add a touch of originality and genius to
Dearga. She also sings, providing tasty lead vocals on Heartland
and Fair Jamie, and backing vocals on Keeper of the Game. Matt
plays guitar and sings, taking the limelight on a couple of tracks.
Alternate Routes is a pair of lively reels, one from the tradition and
one from Shannon. Tell Her I Am applies the same formula to two trad
jigs. Heartland is one of those rare singer-songwriter introspections
which actually work: the tune helps a lot. F-Stop is a fine flowing reel,
and Lemony Lullaby features Matt's deft picking on his own tune. It's
back to reels with Three Days to Go, proof of the power of deadlines.
Oil for the Chain is the matching set of jigs plus Micho Russell's
Reel. Keeper of the Game didn't work for me, but it's followed by
the fierce quirky Nor'easter hornpipes from Shannon's pen. Road to
Garrison completes the tally of reels with a Maurice Lennon tune and two
old favourites. Fair Jamie, like many a ballad, outstays its welcome
after about ten verses. The Small Girl is another of Shannon's jigs,
preceded by one of Josephine Keegan's. The final track, Marching to Crystal
Lake, is one I will definitely adopt: a stirring 6/8 march which sends shivers
through me.
Dearga really is a revelation - highly recommended. Matt and Shannon
are helped out on a few tracks by Aoife Clancy on guitar and some string players,
adding to the considerable talents of this Irish American couple. Check out
www.EatsRecords.com for availability
and preview tracks.
Alex Monaghan
Finlay MacDonald, Simaon McKerrell & Chris
Gibb "Highland Games"
Label: Macmeanmna SKYECD31, 11 tracks, 47
minutes
No contest: for pure piping power and panache there's only a handful of people
who can touch Finlay MacDonald, and they're mostly busy teaching in Edinburgh
or emptying bins in Pitlochry. Simon McKerrell and Chris Gibb are in this handful,
but Simon teaches in Glasgow and as far as I know Chris has nothing to do with
Pitlochry's refuse collections. Together, Finlay, Simon and Chris are the largest
concentration of young piping talent you're likely to find this side of Hogmanay.
They're joined by some talented and innovative backing musicians to produce
scintillating arrangements.
The lads have put together a great set of traditional but rarely-heard tunes.
The marches Cockney Jocks (a little sedate here) and Arthur Bignold
are both favourites of mine, from pipe band days and Ceolbeg concerts. The
Famous Bridge is one of a kind, a top notch tune which fell from grace about
the same time as Skye joined the mainland. Reels like Kalabakan and
are incontrovertible proof that music improves with age, and the hornpipe Lucy
Cassidy is a giant of a tune which fully deserves a track to itself. Greenwoodside
and Mrs MacPherson are more personal favourites, and the oft neglected
retreat marches are gallantly represented by Lochanside and The Battle
of the Somme. Hector the Hero is an outright winner, rivalling Wolfstone's
classic version. In short, Finlay and friends have taken the best of the old
piping repertoire and set fire to its tail: great fun for all concerned, spectacular
entertainment, and a fiery new lease of life for some of the best tunes ever
written.
Alex Monaghan
James Kelly "Melodic Journeys"
Label: Own label JKM0147; 9 tracks, 50 minutes
At first this CD seemed a little rough and ready, but it's grown on me with
repeated listening. The raw edges now seem to fit, and the general effect is
of an older generation of music. James Kelly certainly has generations of experience
to draw on: his father was a well-known figure in Dublin music circles, and
himself mixed with and recorded the previous generation of musicians. Fiddlers
such as Denis Murphy and PJ Hayes were no strangers to the Kelly household.
James has been living in America for some years now, and has featured on several
albums: I think this is his third solo CD, but I could be wrong. In any case,
solo it most certainly is: unadorned fiddle throughout.
The material here is all old and mostly well known, but Melodic Journeys
presents it in a style which is both familiar and unusual. Toss the Feathers
and The Colliers' Reel are delivered with more attention to rhythm and
energy, allowing the melody to drift and settle in new shapes, producing variations
and diversions. A well-known mazurka and fling are played in strict tempo, while
the fiddle constructs harmonies and variations to a fixed schedule. The slow
air An Paistin Fionn concentrates on extracting every drop of emotion:
rhythm and melody are secondary, tone is crucial. True solo performance allows
the fiddler complete freedom to treat each pieve as a different form of entertainment:
dance music, virtuoso showpiece, or heart-wringing tone poem. A couple of stomping
Sliabh Luachra tracks and a heavenly version of Carolan's Farewell to Music
set this CD a cut above the average fiddle album.
The more I think about it, the more Melodic Journeys reminds me of a
travelling fiddler's house concert. The repertoire is familiar, old favourites
mostly, but each turn of the tune is different, and each piece shows another
facet of the fiddler's art, keeping the audience enthralled until the last shake
of the elbow.
Alex Monaghan
Gerry O'Connor "Journeyman"
Label: Lughnasa Music LUGCD 962, 12 tracks,
45 minutes
The tongue-in-cheek title belies this Dundalk fiddler's complete mastery of
music from Ireland and beyond. Journeyman treats us to a well-rounded
dozen tracks: jigs, reels, slow airs and more, some of Gerry's own and others
from the traditions of Ireland, Scotland and Cape Breton. Since the first time
I saw Gerry O'Connor, in Mother Redcap's in 1992 performing with his wife Eithne,
his understanding of the relation between Scottish and Irish music has impressed
me: this marriage of traditions is apparent on the opening tune Jig in A,
and The Chicken's Gone to Scotland is one of the best examples of strathspey
(or highland) playing I've heard from an Irish fiddler. Track 6 offers three
more excellent Ulster highlands.
After several albums with Skylark and Lá Lugh, this is Gerry's first
solo recording. On it he presents a full and varied 45-minute fiddle selection.
There is a fascinating version of The Maid Behind the Bar, with a lovely
finish on Music in the Glen. The Day the Ass Ran Away is a total
contrast, relaxed lyrical playing with Gerry's son Dónal duetting on
fiddle. The Star of Munster kicks off track 9, leading into The Boys
of the Lough, two classics impeccably played here. The moving air Bessie
the Beauty of Rossinure Hill softens you up for the final two sets of mighty
reels, ending with the full-on Rakes of Invercairn.
Gerry is joined on Journeyman by his son on fiddle, piano and bouzouki,
and by Paul McSherry on guitar and Martin O'Hare on bodhrán. Martin Quinn
and Neil Martin drop in from time to time, on accordion and cello respectively.
Together they have produced a wonderfully fresh and exciting CD. More information
is available at www.gerryoconnor.net,
the official website for Gerry "Fiddle" O'Connor.
Alex Monaghan
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