I don't know what I really expected from the instrumental wizard Tim Edey's Christmas album - but it sure wasn't what I got, and that is just great! Because when it's Tim Edey's A Celtic Christmas and because there's Ross Ainslie, Donald Shaw and Steve Cooney, one would probably think of classic seasonal tunes played … Continue reading Tim Edey’s Xmas is simply lovely (even if it’s not always all that Celtic)
Category: Reviews
In case you didn’t know: your Xmas needs Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy
As I checked back on my past Xmastime writings, I realized I had not commented on these Canadian fiddle greats' A Celtic Family Christmas, although I had listened to it and liked it a lot. So now that I bumped into the albums extended 2020 edition, I put it on and liked it even better … Continue reading In case you didn’t know: your Xmas needs Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy
Can’t help it: the silent jingle faithful snow season is here, and so is the music
...and so it is (almost) Xmas - but the horrific war not too far from our doorstep has been going on for almost two years now - maybe not enough people want it to be over? Let's just say that with that nightmare, and a few other tragedies around the world, I'm finding it extraordinarily … Continue reading Can’t help it: the silent jingle faithful snow season is here, and so is the music
Finnish folk music special: it’s not what it once was…
I am writing this on December 6, 2023, the 106th independence day of my country. This year, and the last, our independence has felt more important to than ever in my soon 58 years on this earth, due to the horrifying actions of our gigantic neighbor to the east of us. Having said that, I … Continue reading Finnish folk music special: it’s not what it once was…
RURA: Dusk Moon
Dusk Moon was released in March 2023; this review was written eight months later due to many long periods of non-activity in this blog in 2023, caused by personal circumstances. It was all of five years between In Praise of Home and Dusk Moon. During that period, RURA released a live album and a tribute … Continue reading RURA: Dusk Moon
Réalta: Thing of the Earth
It's been all of seven years since Ireland's Réalta released their second album, the very good Clear Skies, in 2016. I enjoyed that one a lot and later on, as the years passed, wondered if that would be all from this fine band. Thankfully, it was not, and even the lineup is still almost the … Continue reading Réalta: Thing of the Earth
Genticorum: Au coeur de l’aube
The magnificent Quebec trio of Yann Falquet, Pascal Gemme and Nicholas Williams (who replaced Alexandre de Grosbois-Garand a while back) have come up with an album that rocketed into the #1 position in my Genticorum albums ranking.Not only does Au coeur de l'aube (At dawn) have beautiful cover art, the music itself is warm and … Continue reading Genticorum: Au coeur de l’aube
The Consequences: When You Weren’t Looking
Ah, sorry for the medium long pause, again. This time it was because of - suprise! - the return of Covid, most likely courtesy of the EG.5 variant that wrecked 3,5 weeks of my life... I was actually working from home almost all that time but I was not at all well, far from it. … Continue reading The Consequences: When You Weren’t Looking
Harp + Guitar = all you need: Rachel Hair & Ron Jappy’s “Élan”
Yet another "better late" review; this album was released three months before this writing. I believe "élan" is French for spirit, zest, joy; it's one of those words that defy an exact translation. But, luckily, music needs to translating, human or machine, as it itself can open the essence of the word. When harpist Rachel … Continue reading Harp + Guitar = all you need: Rachel Hair & Ron Jappy’s “Élan”
In touch with nature: “Riverwoods” by Salt House
This is one of my "better late" reviews, as I was unable to listen to much music when this was released in the spring. I have enjoyed the previous Salt House releases but hear ye now: Riverwoods is simply amazing. Not because it's grand or crushingly impressive - it's because it's there. The album's info … Continue reading In touch with nature: “Riverwoods” by Salt House
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