For reasons I can't for the life of me remember, I did not write a word on the fab duo of Rachel and Dan's 2021 releases, the gentle folk/singer-songwriter style early bird // night owl (yep, that's the album title) and the almost 100 % instrumental mini-album (at 26 minutes) ReDrawing Edinburgh, music for a … Continue reading Dowally continues to evolve with “Ici et là-bas”
Tag: jazzy
Amy Laurenson’s wonderful “Strands” leaves me exhilarated and emotional
"I believe the phrase 'joie de vivre' was waiting for its moment. It has arrived." Those words are from a supporter of this album on Bandcamp. I quote them here because that is exactly how I feel about this music. And it's not just that the music is brilliant. There's more to it than that. … Continue reading Amy Laurenson’s wonderful “Strands” leaves me exhilarated and emotional
Fraser Fifield’s trilogy of trios: a remarkable achievement!
Of all the brilliant Scottish pipes and flutes masters, Fraser Fifield may be the most eager ti explore the various possibilities of his instruments. His previous deep dives into both world music and the inner life of bagpipes are now followed by the 2023-24 trilogy of trio albums, focusing very much, but not only, on … Continue reading Fraser Fifield’s trilogy of trios: a remarkable achievement!
Notify: Airneán (2024)
One of my favorite contemporary Irish musicians is the composer and concertina master Pádraig Rynne. His command of the instrument and his strength in both traditional and modern styles is remarkable. Airneán is the brand new album by his long standing band project Notify, and it continues his endeavors in folk and jazz fusion, or … Continue reading Notify: Airneán (2024)
Catriona Price: Hert
Catriona Price may not be a household name yet but the Celtic music community is surely familiar with Orkney’s fabulous fiddle strike force FARA whose lineup Catriona is a part of. She is also 50 % of the ambitious modern folk duo Twelfth Day. With classical violin training and already a long folk/trad career, she … Continue reading Catriona Price: Hert
Jeremy Kittel: my latest fiddle fave!
Sometimes you just remain unaware of great music and musicians for years. And when you do discover them, there’s always a great “where has this stuff been all my life!” moment. This happened to me a few days ago when I first heard the Michigan fiddler, composer, all-around great musician Jeremy Kittel. I was totally … Continue reading Jeremy Kittel: my latest fiddle fave!
Aoife Doyle: Inifinitely Clear
Not Celtic and not folk either, but hey, the Irish singer-songwriter’s third album just made me feel good when taking a walk in the nice spring air yesterday. The album features blue-eyed Irish soul, singer-songwriter stuff, folksier tunes and some laid back jazz colors. Her singing voice is soft and sensitive rather than Aretha-style strong … Continue reading Aoife Doyle: Inifinitely Clear
Album Review / Ringlefinch: Tall Tales
England’s Ringlefinch have been around for several years before the release of this, their first album, this summer. And it shows: Tall Tales does not feel and sound like a debutante’s performance. It is a solid, excellently executed showcase by a band capable of both irrerestible grooves and introspective mood pieces. I have noticed some … Continue reading Album Review / Ringlefinch: Tall Tales
Album Review / Duncan Lyall: Milestone
As friends of contemporary Scottish music scene know, Duncan Lyall is one of the busiest people working in that field as a musician, composer, producer and whatnot. A multi-talent who, perhaps because of covid, has released only his second solo outing. His previous album, Infinite Reflections, was released in 2013 and it was essentially a … Continue reading Album Review / Duncan Lyall: Milestone
Album Review / Ross Ainslie: Vana
My wife loves Ross Ainslie to death. Big time. Really, really big time. If Vana was any weaker an album, I’d be in trouble because I can’t pretend when I write about music. So I’m totally grateful to Mr. Ainslie for giving the world an hour of music one cannot but love. Relief 😀 In … Continue reading Album Review / Ross Ainslie: Vana
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