One of the many things I love about Celtic, or any folk music really, is how fairly simple elements join together to create this empowering, effortlessly rocking music.
I use the word ‘rocking’ not only to describe the feel and the motion but because this is where folk and rock meet: you don’t need very many or very complex elements. It’s about how the musicians live out their music and communicate their spirit and personality and energy through the music, directly.
Manus McGuire is famed and highly respected among Irish fiddlers, not only because of his masterful technique but also because he has the gift of transmitting his musical soul to the listener. There’s so much effortless and infectious joy in his playing, it’s practically impossible for me not to have a silly grin on my face when I listen to him.
The Copperplate Sessions is so enjoyable because it’s obviously been so much fun for Manus and his fellow musicians. It’s pretty traditional throughout: the tunes are from Ireland, Scotland, America, and Canada, and the always reliable axis of fiddle and piano defines the album’s sound, complemented by some excellent players, and, on two tracks, the wonderful voice of Canada’s Emily Flack.
Traditional it may be stylewise, but there’s nothing by-the-book when it comes to the energy and experience of this music. It’s fresh, it’s fun, it’s exciting, it’s ageless, and it makes you happy. At least it does that for me.
*****
FolkNotes 