500 Days of Summer. Yep, the movie. That's what flashed in my head by the third track of Scottish folk music string instrument wiz Innes Watson's brand new album where Mr Watson really lets his guitar self go all the way. A strange association? Not so much, really. Many of the carefully constructed and, of … Continue reading Album Review / Innes Watson’s Guitar Colloquium
Category: Reviews
Retro Review / Catriona McKay: Starfish (2007)
Starfish is a small wonder. The animal, of course, is one of nature's miracles, and there's a magical quality to harpist Catriona McKay's solo album, too, released 12 years ago. It's one of those albums where a true master decisively shows both the instrument's powers and her own artistic strength: her custom Starfish Scottish harp … Continue reading Retro Review / Catriona McKay: Starfish (2007)
Album Review / Gary Innes: Imminent
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
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)
FolkNotes 