FolkWorld Issue 38 03/2009

FolkWorld CD Reviews

Jon London "Listen"
Label: Own label; 2008
East Sussex based singer/songwriter Jon London has released his debut album “Listen” with ten self-crafted songs you really should listen to. London sings, plays guitars and cares for some programming and he’s accompanied by Eddie Armer (chromatic harmonica), Matt Banton (double bass) and Nial Brown (keyboards).
The CD starts with the hypnotic “Rack and Ruin” and the cool sound of the harmonica, London’s bewitching voice and his beautiful finger picking. The music instantly captures the listener and ensnares him with it’s simple but haunting arrangements. There are few musicians that are able to do so; if I should compare his music to someone well known I’d say Sting. The rhythmic title track is an all solo performance with voice, guitar and programming. The words tell of a lonely busker yearning for an attentive audience; well Jon London has at least one that really listens, me. His music is a fusion of different styles mainly Folk, Blues, Rock and Jazz. Especially with Banton on double bass he develops a breathtaking jazzy sound like on my favourite song “Come round when the racings on”. London’s beautiful voice, roll-licking guitar riffs and cool double bass melt together to an innovative and remarkable song.
With his debut Jon London has shown that you don’t need big arrangements and names to produce an outstanding album. This guy is certainly someone to listen to, don’t hesitate to visit his website.
www.jonlondon.co.uk
Adolf 'gorhand' Goriup


Lou Brown "What are you singing about?"
Label: Own label; 2007
Lou Brown, singer/songwriter from Dorset, has published her debut album „what are you singing about?” with eleven self-crafted songs. Lou sings and plays the rhythm guitar and she’s accompanied by Bob Burke (guitar, bass, mandolin, keyboards, vocals, production), Andy Stone (guitar, production), Lee Drayson (bass), Gav Jones (drums, percussion) und Aimee Newsome Stone (harmony vocals).
Lou is a wonderful singer with a soft voice and a great feeling for rhythm, which she proves with the outstanding opening song “Morning Light”. Gav’s Conga playing, the rhythmic guitars and Lou’s singing are some of the finest playing together on the album. But you also can hear beautiful melancholic ballads like “These Arms” or folk songs with beautiful finger-picking and harmony vocals like “A Scenic View”. Lou sings “Isn’t She amazing?” and I’ve got to say yes she is as well as the musicians on her album.
“What are you singing about?” she asks on the title track with the catchy melody and the intoxicating rhythm; the way she does it is brilliant anyhow. Lou Brown has recorded an album that is really worth listening to; get an idea of her music at her website or buy the CD, I’m sure you’ll like it.
www.loubrownmusic.com
Adolf 'gorhand' Goriup


Ronnie Drew "The Last Session - A Fond Farewell"
Label:
Celtic Collections; 2008
Ronnie Drew, founding and long time member of the Dubliners, sadly passed away in August 2008. But in addition to his numerous solo albums and CDs on which he’s featured as a guest musician he recorded from November 2007 to May 2008 “The Last Session – A Fond farewell”. This extraordinary album is a collection of classical jazz songs, traditional and original folk materiel arranged for a jazz line-up, original compositions by the musicians and a hauntingly beautiful guitar solo by jazz guitarist and producer Hugh Buckley dedicated to Ronnie.
The idea came from Aengus Fanning, executive producer, who wrote the only song that was previously unreleased, “the last wave”, an up tempo jazz song, featuring Richie Buckley on saxophones and Paul Sweeney on trumpet. On “nobody knows you when you’re down and out” Sweeney showcases together with Myles Drennan on piano and drums, Dave Fleming on double bass, Buckley on guitar – including a terrific voice backed guitar solo – as well as Ronnie on lead vocals his talented Armstrong-like trumpet playing; this cool jazz ballad by Jimmy Cox is my favourite track. But not only Ireland’s great jazz musicians have been invited. Ronnie sings a duet with folk singer Damien Dempsey on Shane McGowan’s “rainy night in Soho” and jazz singer Mary Coughlan joins him on “we had it all” by Mike Hanrahan. Classical trained tenor singer Emmanuel Lawler sings with Ronnie on “Loves own sweet song” and Ronnie recites a Willie Buckley poem to a musical theme by Hugh Buckley accompanied by guitar and Ciaran Wilde on clarinet.
Another highlight brings us back to the origins, when Ronnie brings forward “Molly Malone”, arranged by Buckley in a jazzy way without destroying the raw beauty of this traditional song. Well and that’s what the album represents: a wonderful fusion of traditional and jazz music, featuring some top jazz musicians from Ireland as well as great singers coming from different genres, all together paying respect to the work of the other, a wonderful heritage of one of the pioneers of Irish Folk Music.
www.celticcollections.com
Adolf 'gorhand' Goriup


The Breakmen "When You Leave Town"
Label: Own label; 2008
2005 four young musicians from Vancouver BC came together to share their music: Matthew Lawson (upright bass, vocals), Ben Rogalsky (vocals, mandolin, guitar, harmonica, banjo, percussion), Lee Watson (vocals, guitar, mandolin) and Archie Pateman (vocals, banjo, guitar). On their second album “when you leave town” the guys showcase with ten self-crafted tracks and two cover versions that it was worth it.
The title track is a hauntingly beautiful Country Song from Pateman, who also sings the lead vocals. Ivan Rosenberg adds his Dobro sound to Rogalsky’s clawhammer banjo and Watson’s mandolin, a great sample of Americana songwriting. Following up you can hear some of the best sound you can find on the other side of the big pond; there’re Hillbilly (Long Time Mama), passionate Blues ballades (Hospital Moon), Bluegrass songs (That’s where I lay down) as well as beautiful Country songs (Leaving California) and a breathtaking and “slightly adapted” gospel song by Rev. Gary Davis (I belong to that band). “Jethro’s Chocolates” (Rogalsky) is the only instrumental track on the CD and an exceptional witty tune brought forward perfectly by the quartet on mandolin, banjo, guitar and bass. Another highlight is the stunning Bluegrass performance on “Cold Nights” (Watson). With their new album The Breakmen have established themselves on top of the Americana scene, for me it is one of the best albums of the genre. All four are fine singers and highly talented songwriters and musicians.
www.thebreakmen.com
Adolf 'gorhand' Goriup


Cephas & Wiggins "Richmond Blues"
Label:
Folkways; 40179; 2008
Swamp Cabbage "Squeal"
Label: Zohoroots; 200802; 2008
Andy Egert Blues Band "I’m a Blues Man"
Label: Brambus records; 200838-2; 2008
Max Wolff "Got you on my mind"
Label: Own label; 2008
Steve Baker & Dick Bird "King Kazoo"
Label: Acoustic music records; 319.1400.2; 2008
George Schroeter & Marc Breitfelder "Live in Sweden"
Label: Rudolphon; rdp 190; 2008
Tim Lothar "In it for the ride"
Label: Own label; 2008
Spencer Bohren "Live at the Tube Temple"
Label: Valve; 9087; 2007
Pete Molinari "A Virtual Landslide"
Label: Damaged Goods Records; 297-CD; 2008
Hootin the Blues "Three Mountain Hop"
Label: Own label; 2008
Paul Rishell & Annie Raines "A Night in Woodstock"
Label: Mojo Rodeo; 1950; 2008
In the last issue of Folkworld you could read a review about a bunch of blues CD’s and here we have a fresh pile of CD’s bluesy music for this episode. First an interesting publication by the famous Folkways label. Cephas & Wiggins play Richmond blues of the best kind. This CD is issued in the African American legacy recordings and contains blues in it’s purest way. Guitar, vocals and harmonica. This duo comes close to the perfect guitar/harmonica blues sound. It’s pure, raw and from deep within. Played by two of the most interesting traditional blues musicians of the pas decades.
Swamp Cabbage with their latest CD Squeal. This USA band mixes blues, gospel, jazz and rock in a solid and tasty blend. Even some soul and ragtime can be spotted in the rich sound of this trio. Three strong musicians in ten original songs. I love the lead vocals by Walter Park, who has a kind of Waits-vocal-approach. But also the well arranged and played guitars, bass and drums should be mentioned. A strong album with a good vibe and ditto music. Their webpage is great too, Go there!
Andy Egert and his blues band, can be heard live on I’m a blues man. For over twenty years Egert is a seen live act in both his home country Switzerland and abroad. This is his sixth album, this time with thirteen live recordings. Guitar, vocals, bas and drums (oh yes, and an occasional harmonica) that are the ingredients of this fine, straight on, blues-rock album. Egert shows to be a strong guitarist and a nice singer, although I find his singing a bit to decent for the extravert style of blues he is playing, but beside that a very nice album with some great guitar solo’s and a solid drummer and bassist. The next CD is by Max Wolff. This Danish musician/composer started 20 years ago performing and since then he has been educated himself in composing, singing and playing the guitar. Blues has always been part of his music besides hillbilly and countryblues. Got you on my mind contains sixteen songs. Most of them original compositions but also Hometown blues by Steve Earl, Police dog blues by Arthur Blake and the Hank Williams song Honky tonk blues. On twelve tracks it’s only Wolff and his guitar and on the other four he is backed in a very sober way by piano, harmonica and percussion. Wolff plays the blues in a pure, acoustic way. His calm way of singing fit’s perfectly to his gentle finger picking. It’s relaxing blues and Wolff sings in such a way that the lyrics are understandable and I like that very much. He found the right balance between instrument and lyrics, a balance many musicians find very hard to find. From Denmark to Germany where Steve Baker & Dick Bird have recorded King kazoo for the German Acoustic music label. Fourteen blues songs from this duo on guitar, harmonica and vocals. They are backed by a bass/drum and (of course) kazoo trio. Steve Baker has over thirty years experience and has been playing on countless recordings in a wide range of music styles. On this album he shows to be a great harmonica player, which is not surprise seen the fact that he is the author of several harmonica literature. Dick Bird is his partner on this album, a solid guitarist with a ditto voice. He sings and plays the blues in a direct way, without any pretensions. This King kazoo is a happy, easy going album with mainstream blues. Nothing more, nothing less. Another blues duo; Georg Schroeter & Marc Breitfelder. A German duo that, for twenty years already, form a blues band together. On this 2-CD live album they play fourteen songs, including Clapton’s Runnin on faith and Fogerty’s Sunnyland. Most of the other songs are composed by one or both of the musicians. After a nice instrumental intro in which the harmonica almost sounds like an over-aged violin, some friendly, easy going blues sounds through my living room. The combination of piano, harmonica and vocals only is interesting in the beginning but after one CD it’s a bit to much of the same for me. But than, I’m a folky and not a bluesman. Honest, acoustic music. Might be nice for those who like blues in a non traditional setting. From Germany to Denmark; Tim Lothar has been active in the Danish world of blues for many years. In it for the ride is his latest album with mostly self penned material but also a Charley Patton, Robert Johnson and a traditional. Except for an occasional keyboard, it’s only Lothar’s voice and guitar that does the trick. The result is a nice, personal album with decent finger picking and promising vocals although I personally think his voice would benefit from a bit more ‘age-wear’. Nevertheless a fine album from a fine singer-songwriter. Back to Germany for a live album by Spencer Bohren. A blues singer who’s sixteenth album this is. Falling in love with the guitar at a young age, surrounded by gospel, folk, blues and all these related styles, he has the music deep inside him. As you all know by now, I’m not a blues specialist, but Bohren catches my mind from the first moment. The CD starts with his own composition Night is falling. A beautiful piece of music with a sad and dreamy guitar and strong vocals. The next song Morning blues is a much more traditional sounding blues song, nice but not as beautiful as Night is falling. These two songs reflect the two sides of this album. With some songs he makes me forget the world around me. Listen to his version of Wade in the water, a really nice recording where he manages to get the best out of him. But the other side is a song like Lovesick blues which sound great but doesn’t make me want to stop what I’m doing. On these songs I hear a strong musician, on the others I hear a personality. Maybe that’s the best way to describe the difference.
Pete Molinari is a singer-songwriter from the Medway delta. He plays country-blues and has a remarkable falsetto voice. On his second album A virtual landslide Molinari surprises me completely with his irresistible way of singing and some solid country-blues. His music has this authentic fifties/sixties sound, music that sounds simple but has such a perfect structure and has the right effect; taking me away to a different place in a different time. Listen to Oh so lonesome for you in which his voice reaches great heights. Although a very different style than I usually listen to, this might be one of the more interesting records I heard in 2008. It has a rare kind of pureness which I like a lot. Then the German band Hootin the Blues from the Westfalian countryside. This band sings songs by Willie Dixon, Hank Williams, Sam Cook, traditionals and a lot more. The first thing that I notice is the lack of balance between the vocals and the instruments, somehow I got the feeling it doesn’t quit match. Second of all compared to all these other blues CD’s this is the less professional one, with standard style music and a bit to much on the country-blues cliché. Doesn’t work for me, sitting in my living room, being sober and all alone.
Paul Rishell & Annie Raines just released their fifth album called A night in Woodstock which indeed is a live album with special guests JohnSebastian and Bruce Katz. Thirteen tracks including some by Louis Armstrong, Johnny Winter, Jack Clement and a few own compositions. It’s nice acoustic blues music with a good old traditional vibe. Certainly interesting for lovers of the acoustic blues.
www.swampcabbage.com, www.andyegert.ch, www.maxwolff.dk, www.stevebaker.de, www.bluestour.de, www.timlothar.com, www.spencerbohren.com, www.petemolinari.com, www.hootingblues.de, www.paulandannie.com

Eelco Schilder


Los Torpedos "Oysters and Wine"
Label:
Extraplatte; ex 814-2; 2009
The German band Los torpedos released their latest cd called Oysters and wine. They play covers of hits such as A whiter shade of pale, Ay no digas but also traditionals such as Slave man, I’aint gonna merry and others. They do this on vocals, tuba, drums, guitars, kazoo, moutharp and many other instruments. Probably a lot of fun live on stage, but to my opinion to unbalanced, to unsubtle and to many predictable ‘musical jokes’, to entertain me in any way.
www.lostorpedos.org
Eelco Schilder


Azadoota "Planetarium"
Label: Own label; 2008
I have to admit that I wasn’t in the bad mood this morning when I got out of bed. It was cold, there was snow and I had to get out of bed for the children a few times during night. Typically such a morning that I rather would have stayed in bed. But…that’s impossible with two young children. After breakfast I picked this CD by Azadoota blind out of the pile of the review cd’s, probably the best thing I could do. Sunny, inventive and well played music streamed into my ear and I have to say, I feel much better now! Azadoota is a multi-cultural band with musicians from Iraq, Europe, Latin America and Asia. Over ten musicians bring music without borders. Funky Latin, melodic Arabic, European pop and jazz all brought together in one big melting pot of sounds. I love the title song Azadoota with this great electronic break in the middle. Another highlight is Get up one of the more middle-eastern style songs. The band at it’s best. A really good composition with fantastic vocals and music. In this song it al comes together, pure passion! Azadoota is exactly what life is. Sometimes funky and sunny, but on other moments more introvert and serious. A strong debut by this world-collective.
www.azadoota.com
Eelco Schilder


Mariam Matossian "In the light"
Label: Own label; 2007
Shoghaken Ensemble "Music from Armenia"
Label:
Traditional crossroads; 4334; 2008
Two CD’s with Armenian music, but two very different styles and interpretations. First Mariam Matossian who is born and raised in Vancouver in an Armenian family. She has a trained classical voice which she uses in her personal interpretation of Armenian songs. When she visited Armenia in 2002 to work with children there, she found her passion for singing the Armenian tradition. This is her second album which she recorded with her own ensemble. Besides traditional songs she also recorded some own compositions. Nice detail is the short descriptions in the booklet where she found a song. Often she learned it from her mother, aunt or other family members. The album starts beautifully with the traditional Hars em knoom in which she impresses with her strong vocals and a solid musical arrangements. A bit dreamy but also a serious undertone. This song slowly changes into Khntsorizarin dag. This has a more sunny atmosphere and a more Western sound. I personally think Matossian is at her best in the slow, sensitive songs like Narineh one of her own compositions and one of the best on this album. Also nice is Noryerk although I find this one of the lesser Armenian-influenced songs. She impresses again with another highlight which is called Blboolihit a song by Sayat Nova from the eighteenth century. Here Matossian is like a Armenian storyteller with subtle, but effective expression in her vocals and the instrumental parts. Matossian’s second album is absolutely one to treasure. Her Western influence and her Armenian roots make this album very accessible. Her professional singing and strong band does the rest, beautiful! The Shoghaken Ensemble was founded in 1995 and is by now a known name for their interpretation of traditional Armenian music and troubadour songs. They can be considered as Armenia’s foremost traditional ensemble. On authentic instruments and with traditional vocal techniques the ensemble represents an ancient culture. Impressive how they change from full band dances to a really fabulous duduk solo piece. A more than interesting album that includes a booklet with details about the history of the music and the instruments. A perfect document to introduce yourself to the Armenian traditional music. But also interesting for those who are already familiar with the Armenian roots music.
www.mariammatossian.com
Eelco Schilder


Brunoise "Brunoise"
Label:
Enja / Agua; 08-001; 2009
The man behind Brunoise is the Argentinean musician Nicolás Pirillo and his solo instrument is the ‘hang’ (a round, metal instrument from about 50 centimetres big) Pirillo is one of the few soloists on this instrument which has eight or nine sounds on the one and about two sounds on the other side. It’s a drone instrument that reminds me of a soft kind of kettle drum or ‘sound bowls’. Pirillo did an excellent job on this album and he can be seen as one of the main ambassadors for this instrument. Together with four musicians on instruments such as trumpet, flute, guitar, piano, bender etc. He has recorded a beautiful album with a variation of styles and sounds. I like his tender way of composing and his hypnotising way of playing. He combines South-American sounds, with European, Arabic, jazz and classical influences. An album that took me by surprise and intrigues me a lot.
www.myspace.com/nicolaspirillo
Eelco Schilder


Tamburica Orchestra Veritas "Folklore from Croatia"
Label:
ARC music; EUCD 2190; 2008
The ARC label is known for their low budget folklore albums. Sometimes surprisingly good, but my experience with this label is that their publications are often cliché. The same for this Croatian one, probably most suitable for those who were in this beautiful country for a holiday and need something to feel the holiday atmosphere again. It’s music with up fast lute picking that makes me very nervous after two songs especially because the music lacks any kind of variation. Not my cup of tea, but for those who like happy folk dancing this might be the right album.
www.arcmusic.co.uk
Eelco Schilder


Prekmurski Kavbojci "Al kazino"
Label: Ahoj records; 2008
This band combines Balkan sounds with western guitar and funky rhythms. Their latest CD Al kazino has a nice sound and the combination of styles sometimes surprise me. A song like Sanjuro sounds like a soundtrack from a Balkan-Western movie from the seventies. Daj mi ovo is more Balkan orientated and one of the nicer songs is Do the Balkan dance in which the groups plays nice Balkan-funk. Café krebs also has a nice Balkan sound, with nice guitar in this one. Somehow it all has this garage/beat sound from at least thirty five years ago. The CD ends with Silvana, which might have been a hit in the late fifties but still sounds fresh and up to date. They remind me of a bunch of Balkan musicians who got lost on a Western film set, started to play and invented a very nice crossover style. A friendly album, with easy going music that often puts a smile on my face.
www.p-k.info
Eelco Schilder


V/A "Dancing peregrine"
Label:
Peregrina Music; PM50552; 2008
Peregrina is a German world music label and this album is a compilation album with seventeen songs from their catalogue. A wide range of artists present one of their songs. Including Gjallarhorn with Näcken och jungfrun from their Sjofn album, Maria Farantouri with the Theodorakis song Because he did not follow and many others. Sometimes a bit ambient, a bit of jazz, south-American, latin, sufi and many other styles. But one thing is clear after hearing this album, this label loves smooth and down tempo roots music and soft electronic sounds. With a few highlights like the earlier mentioned Gjallarhorn and Sema, Henning Schmiedt & ensemble. Some nice songs, but a bit to soft and to mainstream after my personal taste.
www.peregrinamusic.de
Eelco Schilder


Gerry O’Beirne "The bog bodies and other stories"
Label: Own label; 2008
An almost 100% guitar album by guitarist Gerry O’Beirne. This Irish musician plays several kind of guitars including 12 / 6 string, slide, high strung, Spanish, Ebow, ukulele, national steel slide guitars and even a banjo. At a few moments he is backed by Rosie Shipley on fiddle. O’Beirne surprises me with his warm compositions. The opening track The desert and two grey hills is a beautiful guitar piece with a rich and warm sound. Strong composers work and played with both technical skills and emotion. Nice is Dancing Sweeney a short dance with stacks of overdubs but with great result. Interesting are also Fergus river roundelay and Clonycavan man in which the fiddle is added. O’Beirne shows to be a fantastic composer and musician who tells stories with his guitar and creates landscapes with his music. A CD I will enjoy a lot in future.
www.gerryobeirne.com
Eelco Schilder


Barbara Furtuna "In santa pace"
Label:
Buda musique; 860167; 2008
Barbara Furtuna is a quartet of male singers from the island of Corsica. For over twenty years the group has been one of the main polyphonic ensembles on the island. This In santa pace is their second album which includes both sacred and traditional singing including some own compositions. Most tracks are vocals only, but occasionally they are backed by five fine musician on bass, accordion, violin and guitar. Barbara Furtuna shows the skills of fur excellent singers who know how to represent the Corsican polyphonic tradition. They do it in a professional way without loosing the right emotion that belongs to this kind of music. The four different colours of the vocals mix perfectly and this quartet has a strong timing. Sometimes polyphonic music is difficult to understand, but Barbara Furtuna sings this ancient tradition in an open minded and accessible way. Suitable for a big audience.
www.barbara-furtuna.fr
Eelco Schilder


Kate Campbell "Save the day"
Label:
Large river music; 4106; 2008
By reviewing her CD Blues and lamentations I confessed that slowly but surely Kate Campbell won my heart. When in 2002 I reviewed Monuments I liked it, but wasn’t convinced. Blues and Lamentations changed that, Campbell showed great progress and developed a more personal (and original) sound. After hearing her latest work Save the day I decided to call myself a fan of her music. Save the day is of seldom heard quality and her best CD until now. It all comes together on this album, good song writing, strong compositions and a more relaxed and fabulous way of singing. The CD starts with the title song, an easy going folk-pop song with a catchy sound. What follows are Welcome to ray, a sober song, only vocals and banjo, and Fordlandia, a modern Americana song. Absolutely stunning is the Colour of love. I know it’s just a bit sad love song, but Campbell sings it straight from the heart. In this song you can hear the big step forwards her composing and arranging skills have made. Almost as beautiful is More than one more day. The same sad feeling, a different style. Back to the moon is the most rock orientated song on the album and could easily end high on a roots chart list. With this new album Campbell proofs to belong on the highest level of Americana/roots/folk or what ever you like to call her music. Save the day deserves it to reach many listeners worldwide.
www.katecampbell.com
Eelco Schilder


Michael Weston King "Crawling through the USA"
Label:
Valve; 8087; 2008
After being performing during the eighties with obscure bands such as The fragile friends and with Gary Hall and the Stormkeepers, Weston King started the band The good sons, named after the Nick Cave album. For almost ten years the band would be a small success. After they broke up, Weston King put all his energy in his solo career and with success. The last six years his star has been rising and his personal style of singing and song writing reaches an international audience. Even other singers like Townes van Zandt and Carolyn Hester are impressed by his talent and record some of his songs. Crawling through the USA is a ‘Best of’ live album, recorded on a American tour. It’s only the musician and his guitar, pure singer-songwriter who sings a few of his best songs. It’s everything you might expect from a great American folky singer-songwriter.
www.michaelwestonking.com
Eelco Schilder


Mec Yek "Antikrisis"
Label:
Chou ; 0802; 2008
Taxi Sandanski "Majko Majko"
Label: Own label; 2008
Two non-Balkan bands, playing Balkan music. First Mec Yek which is a Belgian band with musicians from Ghent and Brussels. Two female Romani singers are the leading ladies of the band, backed by Piet Maris (Jaune toujours) on accordion, Jazz bassist Mathieu Verkaeren, Sax- and clarinettist Mattias Laga (Oblomow and Jaune toujours) and drummer Théophane Raballand (jaune Toujours). One of the guest musicians is Andrew Cronshaw! With such an experienced group of musicians you might expect a creative album full of new ideas and styles. But somehow this is an album full of nice ideas, but a bit disappointing in the elaboration. I hear nice melodies, decent vocals and good musicians. But I don’t hear a balanced sound, it’s a bit messy and stays to much in the same vein. This way it doesn’t get above the average of the many Balkan influenced bands that are active worldwide. From Germany comes Taxi Sandanski who play mostly traditional melodies from Balkan countries. They have a more Balkan beat style than Mec Yek, but otherwise these two bands have the same careful and conservative approach. This Taxi Sandanski is a bit more energetic and shows a group of musicians who play with a lot of fun. But also this band doesn’t have enough own identity to amaze me. It’s just good, solid Balkan dance music.
www.choux.net, www.taxi-sandanski.de
Eelco Schilder


Johnny Duhan "To the light"
Label: Bell; BLCD08; 2008
Johnny Duhan is an Irish singer-songwriter who’s songs have been made famous by artists such as Mary Black, Christy Moore and Dolores Keane. He has been in music since the sixties and has released an impressive collection of personal solo cd’s. Duhan sings in the tradition of old storytellers. He finds his inspiration in his own life and somehow each of his CD’s reflects a period in his personal timeline. To the light is the latest chapter in his storybook in which he keeps on searching for the meaning of the things that happens in a men’s life. He describes without hesitation and always with a sparkling of hope. He sings peacefully with an intriguing and restful Voice. Backed by a fine bunch of musicians who take the minimalistic, but very effective approach. To the light is a beauty of an album with great Irish-inspired singer-songwriter music. I fully understand why better known names sing his songs, I don’t understand why he isn’t as known as all these other singers.
www.johnnyduhan.com
Eelco Schilder


Bellowhead "Matachin"
Label:
Navigator records; 17; 2008
Sometimes, when I open the parcel with my huge pile of review CD’s, I find in between all these albums a CD that makes me jump of joy. The new Bellowhead album Matachin is one of them. After their fantastic debut my curiosity to their second album got bigger every week. Now it’s finally here and I have to admit that for the second time Bellowhead takes me by surprise. It were Spiers and Boden who brought the band together and this resulted in a first performance in 2004. They wanted to create a collective of musicians from many styles but with one shared affinity; the English traditional music. Since this first performance almost five years have passed. Their debut album has been awarded, nominated and so on, their stage performance have been awarded and nominated… name it and it’s has been awarded and nominated. The new CD is called Matachin that means as much as mask-wearer but also refers to old dance with swords, masks and bucklers. The CD is in the same vein as the first one. Sparkling, exciting, surprising and energetic. The collective discovers every inch of it’s possibilities without loosing this typical English traditional sound. Most of the tracks are traditional, found on records from legendary names such as Peter Bellamy, Shirley Collins, A.L. Loyd or found after research in old libraries. The CD ends with Trip to Bucharest/The flight of the folk mutants parts 1&2, an interesting composition by Cellist Rachael McShane and Boden. A bit angry, furious song with Balkan influences. Followed by the serene Vignette part 1, 2 and 3. A pure end of a fabulous CD. Bellowhead became an even better collective that has so much quality, possibilities and fun. The sound of this second CD is solid as a rock and will surely get nominated and awarded again many, many times.
www.bellowhead.co.uk
Eelco Schilder


Ulrike Dangendorf "Brombeerschnee"
Label: Intrepid records; 4217; 2008
A new CD by the German accordionist Ulrike Dangendorf. In 2004 I reviewed her CD Spuren which I liked. Now, four years later Brombeerschnee is her newest work. Twelve original compositions played on solo accordion. Dangendorf has a long history on the instrument starting at the age of six. She has recorded several solo projects but also a few soundtracks. Her music is a mixture of styles including light Klezmer, French, South-American and Russian influences. She creates her own world on the accordion with improvisations and play at the highest level. Her compositions are like stories, nicely arranged and played with passion. Dangendorf shows to be one of the nicest German accordionists I know.
www.ulrike-dangendorf.de
Eelco Schilder


Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys "2nd Avenue Square Dance"
Label:
Traditional crossroads; 4339; 2008
Margot Leverett is an American Klezmer clarinettist who was one of the founding members of the world famous Klezmatics. This is her second album with the Klezmer mountain boys. A cooperation in which she and the boys try to mix Klezmer with bluegrass music. Leverett is a master on her instrument, her style is authentic and original at the same time. I think their mission is a successful one. As if it’s the most normal thing in the world, Klezmer and bluegrass go hand in hand. With guest appearance by Jorma Kaukonen and Hazel Dickens amongst others, the energy of both styles are mixed into a lively crossover style deeply rooted into two cultures. Nice!
www.klezmermountainboys.com
Eelco Schilder


Mariza "Terra"
Label: EMI; 5099922942326; 2008?
The star of Portuguese fado singer Mariza arise very fast during the past years. Since her appearance on Womad, already some years ago, a big audience found their way to her music. The good thing about Mariza is, according to my personal opinion, that she always sailed her own course. This gave her a lot of success, but also some critic from the lovers of traditional Fado. Her dramatic performance, her unconventional looks, I heard a lot of lovers of the genre discuss about what is just her own, personal style. Let’s not forget it brought her success and she took the Fado to an audience that probably never would have been reached by the more conventional singers. It might be so that this latest album Terra will convince the last bore, as this is her best, most adult and balanced album yet. I’m surprised about the restful way Mariza sings her Fado on this album. A bit less dramatic, a bit more pureness and strong, effective musical arrangements. I’m sure with this album she will please her fans and she will gain a new audience as well.
www.mariza.com
Eelco Schilder


Adjiri Odametey "Etoo"
Label:
Galileo; BAY004; 2008
Bernard Mayo "Besoin d’amour"
Label: Crocodiles music; BM-A04; 2009
Two CD’s by African musicians, starting with Adjiri Odametey. He is a singer and multi-instrumentalist from Ghana. Etoo is his second solo album on which he sings and plays six different instruments including guitar, kora, flute and balaphon. He is backed by two musicians on flute and bass. His music is laid back African pop with influence from the Western world. He has a bit shy, introvert way of singing as if he is a storyteller who whispers his stories to his audience. Etoo is a peaceful album with smooth rhythms, relaxing vocals and a strong overall sound. Not for those who expect African firework but for those who like to close their eyes and enjoy. The second African CD comes from Bernard Mayo. Mayo was born in Congo and arrived in Berlin in 1994 where he founded the Bella fiesta selection band. This is his latest solo album, including sixteen of his own compositions. Backed by an electric band, his French sung music is a nice blend of African and pop sounds. Mayo has a nice troubadour voice and has a light, easy going sound. Not traditional in anyway, but honest Congo pop.
www.adjiri-musik.de, www.bmayo.de
Eelco Schilder


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