The very sequencing of the dozen items on the disc accentuates this approach, and the listener remains riveted throughout, while it’s impossible to tire of the constantly changing soundscape where the panoply of accompanying instrumental colours (pipes, whistles, flutes, hardanger fiddle, bouzouki, guitar, jew’s harp, shruti box, bodhrán) is used ever-inventively (yet often quite unobtrusively) to enhance the texts and melodies. The sheer power of the words and music transcends any potentially disconcerting impact of the constant switching between sung languages (full texts and detailed synopses are all available in the booklet), and the overall effect is both timeless and gently epic.


Over The Waves (Craggie Hill) juxtaposes stories of departure and separation by sea from two perspectives, economically too (in under three minutes), whereas several other tracks stretch out the mood and experimental pairings in more extended fashion yet still don’t overstay their welcome. The Frozen North presents two interlocking narratives of loss, the Irish elegy Tuireamh Mhic Finín Dhuibh and the Norwegian ballad Dei Frealause Menn, given an eerie supernatural demeanour by the incorporation of overtone singing, while the dreamlike vision Aisling Gheal is characterised by a weird stringed accompaniment from a chatkhan (Siberian harp). The aching resignation of Ardaí Chuain is expressed in a vocal line of extremely poignant beauty, and further contrast is provided by The Chickens Lip, a glorious and vigorous melding of dance tunes, whereby a gangar (Norwegian walking dance) flows into a jig (the latter gleefully combining Irish lilting and Swedish lalling) before tripping off into a jubilant reel. Moments of repose are provided by the reflective “listening tune” Nordlys (played as a hardingfele solo) and the lovely lullaby that prefaces Bog Braon, to which a brief coda-cum-bonus track (a reprise of Nordlys) is appended, setting the seal on this enchanting, mesmerising disc.


David Kidman JEFF WARNER


Long Time Travelling WildGoose Records WGS385CD


American music. Here he includes eight of the songs his parents gleaned, but doesn’t restrict himself to this source, wisely choosing a number of other pieces which all then fit together to produce a varied and satisfying whole.


He’s a fairly undemonstrative singer, with a rich voice and has the great knack of letting a song speak for itself – something which requires great technique and deep understanding. This extends to his accompaniments: thoughtful, well-chosen and always guaranteed to suit the song, rather than getting in the way.


As well as his own banjo, English concertina, guitar and percussion, he has assembled a stellar backing group – once again, all of whom are chosen to help ornament a particular song, or point up a particular mood.


From Keith Kendrick’s punchy anglo-concertina on Ho Boys Ho, which kicks off the album in fine style, to the fiddling of Pete Sutherland, all the musicians and singers give performances which are a truly positive addition - even the use of such exotica as Vicki Swan’s nyckelharpa is beautifully judged and proves particularly telling.


A really lovely record, and warmly recommended.


Paul Burgess PILGRIMS’ WAY


Wayside Courtesies Fellside FECD239


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This debut CD from Stockport based trio Pilgrims’ Way is a breath of fresh air! Lucy Wright, Tom Kitching and Edwin Beasant have produced an album of predominantly traditional song, with a scattering of tunes that they proudly present as “gimmick free folk”.


As befits the son of the amazing folk-song collectors Anne and Frank Warner who collected hundreds of wonderful songs, Jeff Warner has quite a background in traditional


Sponsored by BIrnam CD


The songs are taken from a variety of sources and will be very familiar to most. Only A Soldier, The Handweaver And The Factory Maid, Adieu Lovely Nancy and Martinmas Time are among those given a fresh treatment at the hands of the Pilgrims. The arrangements are at once completely in-keeping with the tradition and yet modern and new – something that many bands fail to get right these days when they strive too hard to be different.


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e: admin@livingtradition.co.uk 90 The Living Tradition - Page 43 |_|_|_|


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