|
|
|
|
||
The Living Tradition _________________ SOURCE Scottish CONTENT INSTRUMENTS
|
|
|||
|
||||
| THE KATHRYN TICKELL BAND - Air Dancing Park Records - PRKCD72 | ||||
|
It's been a shock
to realise that this is Kathryn's eleventh album - she's always been a
busy beaver I know, but fact that she's been quite so prolific has crept
up on me unawares. If you like her jazzy interpretation of Northumbrian
tunes you will love this album, although it's been so eagerly awaited
that many of you will have it anyway, so I'll preach to the unconverted.
Kathryn is a virtuoso piper and compliments this with soulful fiddle playing
to die for. She's gathered a young support troupe around her that sound
like they'll be a tight touring unit, and I prefer the more traditional
approach to the rhythm section. I've thought in the past that in previous
incarnations of the band the electric bass was rather intrusive - none
of that here. Although a master at interpretation of 'trad', three quarters
of the tracks are self-penned or attributed (I hasten to say contemporary
as Neil Gow is dipped into). Of course if you're a words person forget
it - this is an extravaganza of tunes - of myriad styles and tempos, and
wonderfully produced by Kathyrn herself. Highlights for me include Ian
Hardie's Falls of Altnarie, a waltz called Wedding Gift and a stunning
performance of Elsie Marley - but really it all runs on rails. Now where's
the gig list - I must catch them live (I'm overdue a KT fix). |
||||
|
