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The Living Tradition _________________ SOURCE Scottish CONTENT INSTRUMENTS
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| BRENDAN POWERTradish Tethnik Records 109 | ||||
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Ah now, Brendan Power.
Perhaps I'm a little biased but then again what's left to say about one
of the finest musicians on this planet? Years ago I was seduced by 'Genevive'
performed by Larry Adler and my admiration for anyone who can handle such
a one-dimensional instrument as the harmonica (although I'm sure that
there would be one or two musicians out there who would put me straight
on that score!) has my utmost respect. As the album title would suggest
this is not a strictly traditional outing for 'the moothie' (as our Scottish
cousins would have it) but ably demonstrates the diversity in which it
can be utilised. With thirteen of the fifteen tracks written by Brendan
this is indeed a tour de force and is as much jazz and new age as it is
folk. Accompanying him on a variety of guitars are such luminaries as
Stephen Cooney, Chris Newman and Ian Carr alongside Gerry O'Connor's tenor
banjo and the sweet toned mandolin of Andy Irvine. You see one thing this
album proves is that when you are the 'best' you surround yourself with
the best and I'm sure all the musicians involved had a real blast. As
I'm writing this piece I'm listening to the brilliantly titled 'Sweet
Bulgarity' showcasing another musical bridge that has been crossed while
Ian Carr's gorgeous accompaniment to 'Farewell To Muswell Hill' transports
the listener to yet another genre. Sometimes a reviewer should just let
an album speak for itself and trust me this particular one speaks volumes.
If you're looking for something a little different I couldn't recommend
the album more highly! |
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