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DYLAN FOWLER, IAN MELROSE AND SOÏG SIBÉRIL - Celtic Guitar Journeys

DYLAN FOWLER, IAN MELROSE AND SOÏG SIBÉRIL - Celtic Guitar Journeys
Acoustic Music Records 31915422

“So, there were these three guitarists went into a recording studio. There was a Welshman, a Scotsman and a Breton…” Sounds like the start of a very contrived joke, but trust me, this CD is no laughing matter at all. All three have extensive pedigrees in the world of acoustic guitar music (and beyond) and decided to collaborate on a project to examine their shared Celtic musical roots.

Although these are three outstanding masters of their instruments, there is no grandstanding, no flash showing off, just concentrated musical brilliance and integrity. There are some overdubbed extras from Dylan on percussion, lap-steel and whistle; and from Ian on low whistle, but otherwise this whole production was recorded live together in the studio. The resultant feel is that of perfectly-restrained spontaneity, with the guitars layering over each other to extract the maximum feeling from each tune.


The absolute precision of the playing does not render any of the music sterile, as can sometimes happen, but here it rather increases the sense of warmth that imbues every track. These are three guys who make it all sound so effortless, with their innate understanding of what the other two are doing at any given point. The resultant whole is far in excess of the component parts as they explore tunes from their three native lands and beyond. To illustrate the last point, listen to how well Peter Green’s Albatross blends in as a final track.

An outstanding collection of ensemble playing which is an exemplar of both guitar and Celtic styles.

www.celticguitar.moonfruit.com

Gordon Potter


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This album was reviewed in Issue 113 of The Living Tradition magazine.