Gary Innes' third album continues his excellent work as a solo artist. As a the accordion guy in Mànran, his role is irreplaceable and on his own, he is simply fab. Imminent is, in my ears, a worthy successor and equal to ERA, his 2017 outing. The concept of the previous album is pretty much … Continue reading Album Review / Gary Innes: Imminent
Author: celtbritfolkfan
Retro Review / Alasdair Fraser: Dawn Dance (1995)
When I began to get interested in Celtic trad and folk, I might have stayed a longer time in the doorstep, peeking curiously in but not really entering the house had it not been for two artists: Capercaillie and Alasdair Fraser. Capercaillie's Celtic crossover was a virtual key to this music to someone who adores … Continue reading Retro Review / Alasdair Fraser: Dawn Dance (1995)
Retro Review / Canterach (2001)
Canterach were a Scottish trad band featuring players who had been and who were to become top level musicians in the field; this is, as far as I know, the band's only album - a shame, because it's so delightful and one of my enduring favorites. It’s basically Scottish trad but with many upgrades, so … Continue reading Retro Review / Canterach (2001)
Album Review / Gráinne Holland: Corcra
Corcra is Irish folk singer / singer-songwriter Gráinne Holland's third album. It both continues the natural evolution of its very good predecessors and brings in some new elements as well. Her songs have always been excellent: the ballads beautiful without being sappy or too ethereal, the ones with her band full-bodied without being too pop. … Continue reading Album Review / Gráinne Holland: Corcra
Retro Review / Calum Alex Macmillan: Till (2017)
Calum Alex Macmillan is a Scottish Gaelic singer and piper with classy band history with Dàimh and Mary Ann Kennedy’s Na Siod. His solo album Till (the word means 'return') is a remarkable achievement. I’d characterize his niche on this album as ”Gaelic singer-songwriter”; the musical style and the sparse but very effective arrangements are … Continue reading Retro Review / Calum Alex Macmillan: Till (2017)
Retro Review / Ailie Robertson: Traditional Spirits (2016)
Ah, the Celtic Harp... Such a fragile sounding instrument; looks great but can you really use it as the central piece in a band context? Yes, you can. If you're Ailie Robertson, that is. Traditional Spirits is a great album for various reasons and I just mentioned one of them: the harp takes many roles here … Continue reading Retro Review / Ailie Robertson: Traditional Spirits (2016)
Album Review / Tannara: Strands
A few years ago, when my Celtic madness really got into gear, I heard Tannara's debut album Trig. It was strong and convincing and I mentally marked them in my "very good Trad" box. Now, their new offering makes me move Tannara to the "bands that make something new out of Trad" box. Strands runs … Continue reading Album Review / Tannara: Strands
Retro Review: Aidan O’Rourke’s “Sirius” (2005) and “An Tobar” (2008)
When I started this website, I inevitably did - and constantly do - some backtracking and kind of musical fact-checking, listening to stuff I haven't returned to in a while. In that context, I said hi to Aidan O'Rourke's earlier stuff, as it had been a while since I'd listened to it. I have to … Continue reading Retro Review: Aidan O’Rourke’s “Sirius” (2005) and “An Tobar” (2008)
Album Review / Lau: Midnight And Closedown
I remember hearing Lau for the first time. It was almost trad but not quite; there was always an element that didn't belong in the trad paradigm. It was full of energy and exciting and the playing was blindingly good. At the time I didn't know the lineup; a bit later I did and went … Continue reading Album Review / Lau: Midnight And Closedown
Album Review / Dowally: Somewhere
I had the pleasure to see the Edinburgh-based trio's 20-minute very solid show at this year's Celtic Connections' Danny Kyle Open Stage. The show sent them to the Open Stage finalists and, consequently, to appear as support to a major artist in CC2020. And I just like this soooo much... The band's website says that … Continue reading Album Review / Dowally: Somewhere
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