I’ve never been much taken with the Gothard Sisters, the talented Celtic trio from the American Pacific Northwest. They started their musical careers very young indeed and now, as they have released their 17th (!!!) full length album, they are still young. Amazing.
But there was always been something about their music that kept me at an arm’s length from really digging them. Respecting, yes, but not fully going for it.
That’s why I thought it proper to inform you that I find Moment in Time truly enjoyable and sounding and feeling more assured, more experienced and more alluring than any of their previous outings – this is subjective, of course, but I did go back to some of their previous works to check that this is how I do hear it.
Not that Moment in Time breaks any grand new artistic ground. It’s in the familiar box of Celtic and also some Country-leaning music, all acoustic, but who needs innovation when you can serve a perfectly tasty plate of delicious tunes and some genuinely great playing and singing too.
The tunes here are all their own and they are quality stuff; I pricked my skeptical ears the very moment the title track kickstarted the album with an infectious staccato fiddle riff and some really nice harmonies and arrangement ideas.
It’s followed by Adventurer, an instrumental reel that would have any folk festival audience jumping. Willow’s fiddle chops have truly developed over the years, this is completely solid stuff from her. Check out the single cut, Storyteller, for further proof.
Solana’s lead vocals are assured on every non-instrumental song and she plays an amazing selection of various instruments over the album’s run. Her bodhran work deserves a special mention as she provides some brilliant and nuanced beats from the very demanding instrument – check out the final track, Follow the Wind. Guitar and bass duties are always handled confidently by Greta who forms a solid rhythm base with Solana and has some impressive picking moments too.
Of the other tracks, one special mention goes to Healer, a truly beautiful whistle-led piece that would be so special as a comforting end credits tune in a movie that ends in a healing catharsis after a 90 minutes of heartbreaking sadness.
I admit: I first put this on with a “well I’ll give it a chance” attitude and am more than happy to surrender and declare that this is a really, really nice album, full of warmth and good vibes and just good music and good playing.
Cheers to the Gothard Sisters – I raise my glass to you and look forward to the next one (with a whole new attitude)!
FolkNotes 