FolkWorld #49 11/2012

CD & DVD Reviews

Gillie Mackenzie "Griais"
Own label, 2012

www.gilliemackenzie.co.uk

The first solo album of Gillie, who is known from her performances and CDs with her two sisters in the vocal Gaelic band Mackenzie. The album shocases Gillie's beautiful voice, effectively accompanied on fiddle, piano, guitars/mandolin, and generally subtle percussion and bass. The album aims to reflect Gillie's life on the Isle of Lewis and in the Lothians. Most of the time Gillie stays in the safe waters of Gaelic traditions. There is one unexpected escapade to a Kelzmer tune which is combined with a Gaelic song. To round the album off, there are three charming self penned songs in English language. While at times lively, this is an overall gentle and enchanting album.
© Michael Moll


Fiona J Mackenzie "Archipelago"
Greentrax, 2012

German CD Review

www.fionamackenzie.org

Morayshire singer Fiona J Mackenzie (note that this is not Gillie Mackenzie's [see review above] sister Fiona - no relation, to my knowledge) takes the listener on this album on a musical journey to 11 of the Scottish islands - from Arran via Skye and Lewis to Orkney and Shetland. Each island is represented by one song - some in Scots some in Gaelic.
In style, this is a bit of a mix, ranging from contemporary via trad to easy listening, and from peaceful to lively songs. Some songs are of simple beauty, interpretations of others are for me too shallow, going too much towards easy listening. The album also features a couple of Scots songs sung by Fiona's Kilmarnock Edition (see review below) colleague Alex Hodgens. While at times the keyboards get too dominant for my liking, this is overall though an enjoyable CD of a singer with an attractive voice.
© Michael Moll


Kilmarnock Edition "Pay it forward"
Greentrax Recordings, 2012

www.kilmarnockedition.com

Scottish pop - despite the sleeve notes not mentioning the "p" word at all, this appears to be the dominant style on this album. Yes there are influences of Scottish folk, roots, jazz, country - but at the end of the day this is, in my view, songwriting pop. The band is built around its singers, most notably Gaelic and Scots singer Fiona J Mackenzie (I would not have recognised her on here after listening to above solo album - and there is not a lot of Gaelic material featured on here) and Scots singer Alex Hodgson. The songs and music, mostly composed by band members, are pleasant enough, and have moments of great arrangements where I sit up and listen - but overall the album cannot excite me much.
© Michael Moll


Andar "Storms"
Appel Records, 2012

www.andarmusic.com

An Irish-Scottish-Belgian-Dutch collaboration of Irish accordionist David Munnelly and Scottish singer Helen Flaherty (of Belgian Irish band Shantalla), along with Dutch Siard de Jong (fiddle, Mandolin, whistles) and Belgians Philip Masure (guitar, vocals), and Fons Vanhamel (double bass). Now "Storms" does not really describe the feel of this album - "Calm" would be a better description for it, as most of the material (certainly the songs) is more on the gentle side. Solid music, lively tunes, great singing and an attractive choice of traditional and contemporary trad style Irish and Celtic music make this a very pleasant yet not necessarily outstanding album.
© Michael Moll


Blair Douglas "Leanaidh Mi - I will follow"
Macmeanmna, 2012

www.blairdouglas.co.uk

Gaelic Bluegrass is certainly not your run of the mill music style - and I believe this is the first album of this style ever featured in FolkWorld! Brainchild of talented Scottish musician Blair Douglas(playing on the album piano and cajun accordion and piano), the cast of this project includes also top Scottish artists, Gaelic singers Cathy Ann MacPhee and Kathleen MacInnes, piper Angus Mackenzie and fiddler Gordon Gunn - alongside five Nashville-based Bluegrass musicians. All of the music on this album is new and composed by Blair Douglas. The six Gaelic songs and seven instrumentals cleverly bridge Bluegrass and Gaelic traditions. It is all well put together and it kind of works - but you have to like Bluegrass (and Gaelic music) to really appreciate this album.
© Michael Moll


Fribo "Happ"
Own label, 2011

www.fribo.co.uk

A Scandinavian-Scottish collaboration and musical blend. Fribo (Open House) have managed to interweave the two cultures so cleverly that sometimes you would not notice when it crosses from Scandinavian to Celtic and vice versa. And overall this is neither Scandinavian nor Scottish music - it is the unique distinct blend that is called Fribo.
Fribo features the wonderful voice of Norwegian Anne Sofie Linge Vadal (who also plays flutes), English-born guitarist (etc) Ewan MacPherson, Swedish percussionist Magnus Lundmark and Scottish fiddler Hannah Read (plus guest artists). The CD presents a mix of traditional Scandinavian and Celtic songs and tunes, as well as Fribo's own materials - with the songs being in Norwegian, English and even a song in Gaelic (which almost naturally moves on into a Norwegian song). There is a lot of energy in this band - and pardon me but some of the Norwegian songs sound like they have been put on double speed (I don't know if their originals are indeed slower!) but this works pretty well! The one thing which I find a bit overpowering is the shrill flute which is dominant in many of the tunes. But apart from that an exciting album.
© Michael Moll


Municipale Balcanica "Offbeat"
Own label, 2012

www.municipalebalcanica.it

Powerful and full of energy, fun and joy - this is Municipale Balcanica, where (as the band describes it to the point) Southern Italian Banda meets frenzy Balkan attitude.
I found myself where one minute I thought the music sounded shrill - but already the next the energy and great arrangements took me fully back into their spell. You just cannot help but be moved by this and move along to it - it is an open invitation to dance along to. A wonderful cocktail of Italian trad, Klezmer, Jazz, world, Balkan, pop and rock (there is certainly a dose of Madness style in here!) is presented on plenty of brass instruments, clarinets, drums, guitars, bass, accordion and more. There are a few songs on the album as well, in English and Italian. The singing of the English ones (one original, the other Tom Wait's "God's Away on Business") sounds at first a bit peculiar - but again you get into it quickly as these songs really appeal with their exciting arrangements.
This is intoxicating amazing and unique music. I love it.
© Michael Moll


Macmaster & Hay "Hook"
Own label, 2012

www.myspace.com/macmasterhay

The second duo CD of Scottish harpist and singer Mary Macmaster (Poozies et al) and percussionist/drummer Donald Hay (Shooglenifty et al). My views are split about this album - while the music is full of exciting, sometimes even ingenious, moments, most numbers lose me at some point when the musicians get too experimental, the music gets too repetitive and loses its theme (at least on me) or the sound becomes too electronic with its samples which do not add anything. The CD is at its best when the sound is more minimalist - with harp, gentle percussion and the beautiful voice of Mary Macmaster. A highlight is the well known tune "I can't conceal", to which they added the word of a Gaelic poem read by Rory Campbell. While this album is certainly innovative, it is not quite my cup of tea - a bit too avantgarde for me!
© Michael Moll


Chris Lea "Scarecrow" [Do-CD]
KR Music, 2012

A double CD telling the story of smuggling on the English South coasts in the 18th century - in spoken words and song. Nearly all material on this double album is written by Chris Lea, and is based on accounts of smuggling as well as the Doctor Syn novels of Russell Thorndike. Teh spoken word is spoken by two male voices. The songs - about half of the 26 titles - are presented in folk rock style - I would say they do not hit the top marks in quality, but they are OK to listen to as stand-alones (i.e. outside of the context of the spoken word of the album). Overall there is certain charme in this project. However, I do find that you do need to be really interested in finding out about the history of smuggling to really enjoy this album - I lost interest after a while. And I suppose even if you are very interested in the subject, given the amount of spoken word, the album does not really lend itself to repeated listening.
© Michael Moll


Various Artists "No pasaran!
Scots in the Spanish Civil War"
Greentrax Recordings, 2012

German CD Review

This is an impressive album of songs in memory of the Scots who fought and died in the fight against facism in Spain. The CD bookelt offers a little history lesson of the international brigade, and the well over 500 Scots in it, fighting against Franko in the Spanish Civil War (a piece of history I had not been aware of in its detail).
The songs on the album are a mix of songs stemming from the Civil War, contemporary songs on that theme, and songs about and against wars but not specifically about the Spanish Civil War. This a powerful and evocative mix of 16 excellent songs - some sad, some optimistic, some reflective - in English/Scots and Spanish language, from a range of well know and lesser known folk artists from Scotland. Some of the many highlights include The Laggan's "Jarama Valley/Bandiera Rosa", a strong McCalmans version of "Peatbog Soldiers" recorded in 1979 and the two songs in Spanish language - sung by Christine Kydd and Spanish-Scottish band Gallo Rojo. Some of the songs have been especially recorded for this album.
This album is inspiring, moving, thought provoking, and delightful in its musical beauty. Put together by Ian McCalman this is an impressive labour of love. Another album Greentrax can be really proud of.
© Michael Moll


Hal Parfitt-Murray & Nikolaj Busk
"Music from the Edge of the World"
Go Danish Folk Music, 2012

Article: Music from the Edge of the World

www.halnikolaj.com

This album is build around a fascinating somewhat peculiar theme - the two Danish musicians found on a journey an imaginary undiscovered island with a small population which they refer to as "The Edge of The World" -as this imaginary island proves that the world is indeed as flat as a pancake given that it is right on the edge of it! The album showcases the exchange of the "local" traditions and those of these two guests, and indeed the booklet describes some of the musical customs of this imaginary folk.
The music ranges from Scandinavian inspired folk, via Celtic music and English song to Middle Eastern and other world music, Sibelius and improvisation. All is performed by the duo, with Scandinavian and Celtic style fiddle, piano, mandolin, accordion, synth and much more. This is an exciting, imaginative, eclectic album - some of the pieces are very pleasant and energetic, others maybe for me a bit too improvised and eclectic.
© Michael Moll


Hal Parfitt-Murray & Nikolaj Busk
"Music from the Edge of the World"
GO folk, 2012

Article: Music from the Edge of the World

www.halnikolaj.com

Two of Denmark finest multi-instrumentalists and talents joined together a few years ago and now a new album has just been released. Music from the edge of the world tells the story of a journey to a group of islands that the locals themselves call ‘the end of the world’. Parfitt-Murray & Busk recorded their musical interpretation of the journey and the Islands. Mainly newly written material combined with a few traditionals and a Sibelius, Donal Lunny and Leon Rosselson composition. Interesting album with a kind of modern acoustic folk music interweaved with contemporary music, classical theme’s, experimental, jazzy sounds and many other elements. The album has not a very outspoken character, but is more an introvert story with a personal vibe. Well composed pieces of music, played with respect and with real craftsmanship. A very nice album by two Danish masters.
© Eelco Schilder


Amir Nasr & Joël Mozes van de Pol
"Fragments of Life"
Metarecords, 2012

www.fragments-of-life.com

A jazz review with Amir Nasr & Joël Mozes van de Pol and the duo's album called Fragments of Life. This is a duet between baritone guitar and tenor saxophone. Nine original compositions, mostly written by Nasr. It’s beautiful, fragile music played by two great musicians. With soft sounds, melodic compositions and a naked approach, these two musicians did record a wonderful album that brings peace and rest to the mind.
© Eelco Schilder


Duo Topolino "La Stradadeicolori"
Westpark, 2012

www.myspace.com/duotopolino

Second album by the guitar/violin duo Topolino. After a very nice debut album, this second album fits perfectly to the first. Again a fine mixture of world styles with again a focus on the Eastern part of Europe. But also some American folk, African beats, tango and slight classical influences. Not as surprising as their debut album, but again a well-played album with accessible world music. The arrangements sound a bit more mainstream to me, this might appeal to a bigger audience. But a bit more sharp edges would have spiced this album a bit. But I repeat, nevertheless a strong album.
© Eelco Schilder


Kristi Stassinopoulou & Stathis Kalyviotis
"Greekadelia"
Network, 2012

www.KristiStassinopoulou.com

My first acquaintance with the musical universe of Kristi Stassinopoulou & Stathis Kalyviotis was in 2000, just after their album Echotropia was released. Still a great album that still sounds actual and modern. On this new album called Greekadelia this Greek duo recorded thirteen new tracks deeply rooted in several Greek traditions. It’s just the two of them creating a whole new kind of Greek tradition. With a combination of acoustic instruments, percussion and electronic possibilities, they manage to capture the soul of each composition in a mystic, sometimes almost psychedelic kind of way. Although this is a modern sounding album, it has a mythical sound full of wonderful melodies, hypnotizing rhythms and a whole spectrum of emotions. I love Stassinopoulou’s rich voice. Sometimes she sounds like a young traditional singer form many moons ago and on other moments she has this nice, raw edge in her voice. Amazing that only two people can create such a rich sound, this is craftsmanship and exactly how modern Greek folk music should sound.
© Eelco Schilder


Radio Zastava "The Funambolik Experiment"
Own label, 2010

German CD Review

www.myspace.com/radiozastava

Five track EP by the Italian band Radiozastava. Started seven years ago as a brass marching band. The five tracks are exactly what you might expect from a brass band. Balkan influenced up-tempo songs. Well played, energetic and with nice Mediterranean influences. Promising start, hopefully they continue playing and keep searching for their own unique sound more and more.
© Eelco Schilder


Shir "Ashk’farad"
ARC, 2012

New York Gypsy All Stars "Romantech"
Traditional crossroads, 2011

Melech Mechaya "Melech Mechaya"
Felmay, 2012

www.shirmusic.co.uk
www.nygypsyallstars.com
www.melechmechaya.com

What would a FolkWorld issue be without a bunch of Brass-Klezmer reviews? I have been amazed for many times about the huge piles of Klezmer/Balkan Brass albums that are issued each year. This are only four of them. Ending with a fantastic debut and a great second album, now starting with the band Shir. A UK based band playing Klezmer and Ladino music. This album contains sixteen traditional tracks from the Jewish tradition from all over Europe. Played by four great musicians on clarinet, recorder, strings, harmonium, violin, bass and much more. They are joined by a guest percussionist, accordionist and the Amber string quartet. A nice album with well played music. The first minute of the album is fabulous, a real mystic teaser with slight orient influences. Although the musicians don’t manage to keep this sparkling start throughout the whole album, it’s more than enjoyable. Fine vocal works, I’m impressed by the way the lead vocalist tells the story of a song. A very nice album full of variations, well played music and strong musical arrangements and a few magical moments.
More brass orientated music by the Bubamara Brass Band. With their album Zemlja bubarumija, this Russian band brings a ode to the Balkan brass music in a an energetic way. Unfortunately all info on- and off line are in Russian so I can’t tell you more than that this band is based in Moscow and it’s a septet. It’s happy brass music in the more known style. Lots of horns, up tempo and a nice female vocalist to spice up the songs. Actually a real nice album, but not different than many other good Balkan Brass albums. Would be interesting if they search for the Russian brass tradition or continue developing a more unique sound. But nevertheless an album that is above the average quality of the loads of released brass albums.
Finally the two most remarkable albums according to my personal opinion. The New York Gypsy All Stars and their album called Romantech. This is the debut album of the quintet. They bring original compositions mostly, only two traditionals are included on the album. With their Macedonian, Greece, Turkish and American background, the band takes the best of all those cultures and far beyond. They did this in a great way and I think this is a very strong debut album. With uplifting Balkan beats, unexpected Indian rhythms and sounds, oriental grooves and funky jazz rock. This All stars band shows that they know how to make great music. Good compositions are played at a high level and they manage to create a well-balanced and exciting sound. Not many bands in this style are able to create a sound that is unique enough to get above the average standard. This New York Gypsy All Stars does this with quality music on probably the most promising debut album in this genre of the year.
From the US to Portugal. Melech Mechaya is a Portuguese band playing Klezmer and Yiddish influenced music. Their debut album showed a promising band, passionate musicians and a interesting way of interpreting the music. On this second album they show an even better sound and they have developed into a band with an own musical identity. Together with guest performances of Frank London and the wonderful Fado singer Misia, Melech Mechaya makes me dance around the room with their well-played, sometimes humoristic, but always quality played tunes. The fun these five musicians express through their music is great and highly contagious. Even their version of Mazzel tov (probably the seven hundred and eight version of this tune I heard in the past year) sounds fresh and fruity. The more introvert break Gare no oriente with Misia taking the lead, is a nice, melancholic break. With simple, but effective backings a totally different atmosphere is created. Where The New York Gypsy All stars have the best debut album in this genre, Melech Mechaya comes with probably the best ‘second album’ of the year.
© Eelco Schilder


Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys "Release your shrouds"
Earthworkmusic, 2012

The Dust Busters "Old man below"
Folkways, 2012

Grant Langston "Working until I die"
Own label, 2012

Joey & Rory "His and hers"
Sugar hill, 2012

The Modern Grass "High on the Mountain"
Own label, 2012

Radney Foster "Del rio: Texas revisited"
Devil’s river records, 2012

Forest Sun "Just begun"
Own label, 2012

Skyline Drive "Topanga Ranch Motel"
Own label, 2012

www.lindsayloumusic.com
www.thedustbusters.blogspot.nl
www.grantlangston.com
www.joeyandrory.com
www.themoderngrass.com
www.radneyfoster.com
www.paintedsun.com
www.skylinedrive.me

A collection of Americana/country/bluegrass albums now with a few great new releases. Starting off with Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys and their album Release your shrouds. This is Lou’s second album and the first with the Flatbellys. Lou sings and plays the guitar and banjo while the band includes the male vocals, mandolin, bass and more guitars. So a lot of strings on this one. This is such an album that puts a smile on my face from the first moment I listen to it. Nice, vocals and sometimes amazingly good fingerpicking. She and the band play with the music and takes it from tradition to a jazzy fifties style. A sunny, sparkling album by a great singer and a few great musicians. Highly recommended for it’s a clear and well balanced sound, strong compositions and real craftsmanship.
From modern to a much more traditional sound. The Dust Busters and their album Old man below play old time USA folk music. On this album they are joined by one of the founding members of the legendary New lost city ramblers; John Cohen. Twenty traditionals are recorded completely in traditional, NLC ramblers style. This quartet did this in an impressive way and bring some old ballads and tunes like you could hear them sixty years ago. I like the bit rawness in their voices, the sometimes hypnotizing instrumental parts. This album shows that good music never dies and this band just brought century old music into the 21st century in a more than convincing way.
And now for something completely different. Grant Langston and his new album Working until I die. This singer-songwriter comes with uncomplicated rock with slight Americana, country etc. influences. Nice mainstream music with songs that are well composed and played but also are a bit alike sometimes. The focus is more on rock than on any traditional form of music. I think this album will do good on daily radio shows, as it’s really accessible and easy going music that will appeal to a big audience.
And back to a more country styled band; Joey + Rory and the duo’s album called His and hers. Together with band they play a lighter version of country-rock. More subtle and a more balanced crossover sound between rock and traditional elements. Nice bluesy ballads, fine (harmony )singing and ditto instrumental works. Friendly album with nice music.
Back to the more traditional sounding stuff with The Modern Grass. A collective of five musicians on fiddle, (resophonic) guitar, double bass, banjo and mandolin. This combined with strong harmony and solo vocals. This is the second album since the band was formed not even two years ago. Except for a traditional and a Tom Waits song, all compositions are original. From the first moment on the sparkling energy of the band surprises me. This are five fantastic musicians mixing bluegrass with folk, sometimes a slight Celtic touch and a bluesy edge. Eleven wonderful songs that all are of high quality and really contains some fabulous finger picking, sliding guitar sounds, roaring fiddle and well balanced harmonies. Somehow I got the feeling this album will be in my CD player a lot in the next coming months.
Radney Foster rerecorded his twenty years old album Del riot x, 1959 with eight musicians backing and eleven guest appearances. I first listened the old version, this new one is absolutely better. A rich sound, a better voice and bright country/Americana/blues rock of high quality. No trick, no unnecessary artificial additions, pure and honest roots music with a few nice ballads and some great rocking moments. For lovers of the genre a must!
Then the new album of the San Francisco singer-songwriter Forest Sun. This much awarded musician comes with his latest release called Just begun. It is his 8th album in ten years and together with a bunch of fine musician he created a very fine one. All original songs are sung with his warm voice in a relaxed and natural way. The album has a nice mixture of Americana, country, bluegrass and pop. All of this with touches of gospel, fine fingerpicking and just well played contemporary sounds. I absolutely understand why his star is rising, with such a voice and the open minded, accessible style of music it is just a matter of time before a worldwide audience will have at least one of his albums in their CD collection.
The last album in this review is by a band called Skyline Drive and the title is Topanga Ranch Motel. Sometimes start playing a CD and the first second makes me quiet and attracts my full attention. That is exactly what happens with the opening track of this album The switch. A slightly raw, male voice, fragile and strong at the same time. Backed by guitar only, this singer immediately forces me to listen, a wonderful start of this debut album. Strangely enough the sound and atmosphere changes drastically in the songs that follow. A more Americana-pop sounds follows. Well played, nice compositions but with a more mainstream sound and not as appealing as this great opening track. I have to wait until track five called Lemon tree before this same feeling returns and I’m just pulled to the loudspeakers and want to hear, feel every word that is sung and every note that is played. A strange album, three-four absolutely fantastic tracks that impress me deeply. But also these middle of the road Americana pop or rock-light. Well played as well, but without the chemistry and power of these other four songs. Nevertheless a band I will follow very closely as they Prove with this album they can both record irresistible music and music for a more middle of the road orientated audience. I wonder which road this band will choose in future.
© Eelco Schilder


Jean Perrier "Quand tu joues"
AEPEM, 2012

Jean Perrier is a known accordionist from Aubrac, France. On this album twenty-five recordings from 2006, 2004 and even some from 1998 are published as a homage to his work. He is backed by Jean Bona on the cabrette, Bruno Bonte on Banjo and Didier Pauvert on accordion. It’s original dance music with traditional elements. Perfect for those who still known how to dance a mazurka, polka or bourrée. This is pure and honest music without any false pretentions. Great for accordion lovers, maybe a bit too much for those who are not totally accordion minded.
© Eelco Schilder


Laura McMillan "Linger longer"
Own label, 2011

www.perhapspiano.com

US pianist Laura McMillan composed and played twelve new tunes. Solo piano only with a nice classical vibe, a touch of Broadway, slight world influences and a bit jazzy at moments. A nice moody album for people who love romantic piano music.
© Eelco Schilder



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