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FLING - A Ditch Near Cree

FLING - A Ditch Near Cree
Music & Words CUP8044

This CD by Fling, a band new to me, is not what it seems. There is a good mixture of Irish traditional songs and tunes, played on Uilleann pipes, fiddles, whistles and flute, supported by sympathetic guitar work. The vocals on the songs have the “style” whilst being deep, dark and moody. All the way through I couldn’t help comparing A Ditch Near Cree with the likes of Planxty and the Bothy Band amongst others - favourably I must add.

The CD starts with a wonderful version of W.B.Yeats’ Red Hanarahans Song during which I became hooked. Surely it is another traditional song, Night After Night which follows?  Effortlessly we weave between song and tune sets including a version of The Heathery Hills Of Yarrow - learned from the singing of Triona Ni Dhomhnaill - before finishing with the slow air Port Na Bpucai.  Along the way is my favourite track Ballisdore Bay, written by Annemarie de Bie, with echoes of some of those wonderful songs about Irish shorelines.

And that is the first clue as to why Fling are not what they seem. Not only are many of the songs written by Annemarie, most of the tunes are written by Evertjan ‘t Hart. The fiddle player is Siard De Jong, whilst guitar is played by Philip Masure - not really names you would associate with Ireland. But that is because the band is from Holland. This is their fourth CD, but the second with this line–up. They have been described as one of the top folk bands in Holland and I am not going to dispute that.

It is a long time since I have enjoyed a CD as much on first hearing as I did this. But don’t just take my word for it. A Ditch Near Cree is available to download or to buy from online stores.

One final plea to festival organisers and promoters ... How about getting them over here for some live gigs? I can think of a few festivals (Shrewsbury, Warwick) where they would go down a storm. I know I would be there.

Dave Beeby

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This album was reviewed in Issue 89 of The Living Tradition magazine.