If you have heard
any of the previous three CDs in the Evolving Tradition series you won't
need any persuading to give this a listen, but whereas the first three
concentrated on the upcoming generation of musicians and singers, this,
as the title suggests, has the older generation from the revival of the
sixties and seventies combined with their progeny. And very interesting
it is too! A generation that has grown-up listening to traditional music
at home, in clubs, and at festivals, has developed a similar love of it
to that of their parents.
The opening track, 'The Bonnie Lass of Bon Accord', features the squeezer
supreme, John Kirkpatrick, with a tune he learned from his father, and
it is followed by John with son Benjii on 'Toxic Haze', one of Benjii's
own compositions. Naturally the first family of folk are here, with three
tracks featuring one or more of Waterson:Carthy, plus Lal's 'A Sweet Lullaby'
performed by her daughter Maria Gilhooley, and son Oliver Knight with
Chris Parkinson. Another family gathering is found on 'Dear Mary' - Linda
Thompson with Richard, Kamila, and Teddy, and elsewhere there is a story
from Taffy Thomas combined with John Tams' 'Snowfall', performed by Aimee
Thomas and brother Sam. Australia's Fagan family do 'The Factory Lad'
and the Doonan's, with the late John Doonan, are also here with 'Gypsy
Davy'. There are two pairings of mother and daughter - Chris and Kellie
While on 'Talk to Me of Mendecino', and Sandra and Nancy Kerr with 'The
Lion's Den', plus two tracks from a mother and son, Sara Grey and Kieron
Means.
Overall this is a really excellent CD, which, besides providing over seventy-five
minutes of listening pleasure, is also stimulating, and thought provoking.
It is another fine album in this excellent ongoing series of recordings,
and with a further CD promised for 2005 - it looks like this pleasure
is set to continue.
Mel Howley
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