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DECEMBER 2000
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Source: Green Man Review
http://www.greenmanreview.com/yetmorecelticmusic.html
Review: Jon Anderson, The Promise Ring (Om Town, 1997)
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Also:
Avalon Rising, Avalon Rising (Flowinglass Music, 1995)
George & Anwyn Leverett, Skye Boat (Self-Published, 1999)
Garry Shannon, Loozin' Air (A Brick Missing Music, 2000)
Steve Schuh & The Night Heron Consort, The Shore's of Lillisand (North Star Music, 1999)
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By Chuck Lipsig
Here's a bunch of brief CD reviews to keep you warm over the winter months,
although I don't suggest throwing the CDs in the fireplace, unless your
stereo plays wooden logs.
The older brother of noted Irish musicians Sharon and Mary Shannon, Gary
Shannon is a gifted flute player in his own right. On his solo CD, Loozin'
Air, the mastery shows, yet somehow there's a certain spirit lacking. Some
of it may be how this album was recorded. According to the liner notes (and
his web site), it was started 10 years ago -- although most of the material
recorded 5-10 years ago ended up not making the album -- with a lot of the
material recorded in late 1999 and early 2000. There's a certain lack of
cohesiveness in the CD and, though the notes do not say so, there is an
impression that Shannon was rushed to get the material together.
There are nevertheless some gems among the tracks. "De bonne heure" (the
reels, "The Longford Spinster" and "Paddy Kelly's") is remarkable with some
unexpected twists in the tunes, matched by solid guitar support from Ciaran
Leahy. Loozin' Air picks up at the end as the last four tracks are all
outstanding performances, especially the joyful "L'air du Blond" ("Herve's
Reel" and an unnamed reel written by the aforementioned Shannon sisters,
although I suggest "Insomniacs' Reel" would be appropriate). The final
track, "Seriously Fairy" ("The Sally Gardens" and "The Humours of Tulla")
is unusual for some truly funny, but excellent, mouth-music joining the
flute in the lead.
Nothing on this Loozin' Air is less than good. But, for the most part, the
album seems somehow uninspired or unconnected. Not until the last four
tracks does Shannon hit his stride -- but when he does, it's well worth
listening to.
Steve Schuch & The Night Heron Consort have put together a fine CD with The
Shores of Lillisand. The key word in the title is "consort," for the music
often has a stately feel to it with lush arrangements. It feels like music
for a medieval court -- but only if the court musicians' instruments
included wind chimes, penny whistles, electric bass, and a Fender
Stratocaster.
The first track, "Chanter," is a highlight and tone-setter for the CD with
a majestic march being bracketed with ethereal flute solos. "Planxty
R.N.B." is a fusion of the Irish, baroque, and R&B genres that holds
together amazingly well. "In Cinq" is a wonderful, if too short, 5/4 piece
featuring David Surrette (who also composed it) on guitar and "tasteful
French foot stomp." The French inspire more foot stomping (or at least a
gentle tapping) with "Bouree Medley." On the few tracks that stumble, the
music feels forced. For example, "Scottish- Baroque Fantasy" is described
as an imagined bagpipe piece by Bach, transcribed for solo violin. The
music comes off as contrived as the definition.
All and all, this is a solid album with excellent group musicianship. I've
enjoyed it more each time I've listened it and have high expectations that
I will continue to. I suspect that if I reviewed it a few weeks from now,
after a dozen more listens or so, I would write a more glowing review. As
it presently stands, The Shores of Lillisand is excellent writing music,
energizing without being obtrusive, and is therefore going on my
heavy-rotation shelf next to my computer.
Yes, it's the Jon Anderson of Yes -- and also of Jon & Vangelis, for those,
like me, who first encountered him through those albums -- who put together
The Promise Ring. Yes, this is definitely a Celtic album, inspired by
Anderson's hanging out at a Celtic pub in California and a dream he had of
a united "Eireland" in 2002. Yes, it's quite an odd little CD. And, yes,
I'm going to stop starting every sentence with "Yes." Right Now.
The songs on The Promise Ring are generally Anderson singing over
traditional tunes. When Anderson sticks to the tune, it's generally a good
performance. On "My Sweet Jane," he starts with "Mairi's Wedding" then adds
some tune of his own. But the tune he sings, is the same as the
instrumental, and it's a powerful -- and powerfully good -- piece. The
problem is that Anderson sometimes takes off on his own melodies,
attempting to weave them with the traditional tunes. When it works, as on
"The Timing of the Known" -- which is set to one of my favorite tunes,
"Banish Misfortune" -- it's something special. But when his voice both
takes off on its own tune and overwhelms the backing, such as on "Flowers
of the Morning," this CD falters.
The hidden treasure of this album are the backing musicians. Assembled from
regulars at the Frog In Peach Pub of San Luis Obispo, "The Froggin' Peach
Orchestra" is a skilled, enthusiastic group that over two-dozen musicians
contribute to. The background conversation of the pub also adds to the
ambience. However, the success of this album rises and falls on the voice
of Jon Anderson. I can see how his high-tenor voice, often bordering on
shouting, can be annoying to some, but I think he uses it well. For the
most part this CD works for me and though I've vaguely embarrassed to admit
it, I quite like it. However, what I really want to hear is a CD devoted to
the Frog In Peach crew.
Based in the San Francisco Bay area, Avalon Rising belongs to that
Celtic/New Age-Pagan/Medieval-Renaissance nexus. Featuring fine vocals --
four different members take their shot at lead vocals and all of them nail
their songs -- this self- titled debut is a fine CD. The layered
instrumental arrangements and harmonies give provide a level of mystery
that occasionally goes too over the top, but is usually a treat to listen to.
The lead-off track, "The Great Selkie," is one of the finest. The
arrangement is perfect, with flowing lyrics and instrumentation -- and a
nice touch of snare drums for emphasis at the right point. The 15th century
"Andray Soulet" is a masterful work of mixing with Margaret Davis handling
several lines. Pete Gascoyne and Deirdre McCarthy's percussion work is
outstanding. Cynthia McQullin's female pagan "Dark Moon Circle" gets a nice
arrangement with Kristoph Klover shining on mandolin; an instrumental riff
on "The Red-Haired Boy" (a.k.a. "The Little Beggarman") somehow comes off
as a very good joke. Gascoyne's "Reborn" is a joyful song of reincarnation
and new meetings of old souls.
This is another CD that has been growing on me, as each listening reveals
another level to the tunes and arrangements. While it appears from their
Web site that Avalon Rising is still together with at least Davis and
Klover remaining, they don't seem to have made another CD (although they've
pursued their share of individual and other group projects). I'm looking
forward to when they do another recording as Avalon Rising.
George and Anwyn Leverett join a long list of (CLICHÉ ALERT) couples that
make beautiful music together in their debut CD, Skye Boat. This release
features George on Celtic Harp and the distaff half on near about
everything else in these arrangements of mostly traditional songs.
Generally they are pleasant to listen to, but their arrangements sometimes
sound too careful and hesitant.
"Mhorag's na horo Gheallaidh" epitomizes everything good and bad about this
couple. The performances and arrangement are solid with nice singing from
both partners and a nice use of echo effect. But it's done at just too
ponderous a pace. Far better is the deft touch on harp George brings to the
slip jig, "Butterfly." Their wonderfully eerie arrangement of "She Moved
Through the Fair" emphasizes the ghost-story aspect of the song. There may
be a bit of over-reliance on background nature sounds -- waves, running
water, and the like -- throughout the CD, but the Leveretts use it more
like an additional instrument than just mood-setting with their own tune,
"Anwyn," being among the better examples of this.
The CD says their web site is www.skyeboat.com, but that site sends you
directly to http://www.aroundthehearth.com/. Around the Hearth is the group
that the Leveretts now belong to, touring just about all points west of the
Continental Divide. According to the web site, a debut CD for Around the
Hearth is in pre- production. I'm looking forward to it.
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