CD Review: Ailie Robertson's 'Little Lights'

Ailie Robertson
Little Lights
Lorimer Records

Scottish harpist, Ailie Robertson, is joined by Natalie Haas on cello and Tim Edey on guitar and accordion for a truly folk-riddled album of instrumental magnificence. The bouncy melodies are spritely and imaginative with great sounds all around. There are eleven tracks in all with many songs arranged in jig or waltz-like orientations. For instance, some of the songs have two titles side by side, which relate to the different tones and progressions characteristic of instrumental folk music from Scandinavia and Northern Europe. It is nice the album is not too short (46:46) either. Fans of instrumental harps and koras, along with roots, folk, and fusion interests, will love Ailie Robertson's new release. It's a little album with a big impact. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Baka Beyond's 'After The Tempest'

Baka Beyond
After The Tempest
March Hare Music

The Afro-Celtic band, Baka Beyond, grew out of a collaboration with the Baka of Cameroon with the musical styles of the Caribbean, Europe folk, and Afro-pop. The bubbly reggae-infused, "Heart Of The Night," is a perfect track for lounging. There are also Irish lullabies, Baka traditional songs, and Shakespeare-inspired compositions. The theatrical songs are full of life and quite varied. All of this success is owed to the instrumentalists and vocalists, including Martin Cradick on guitar, Su Hart on vocals, Kibisingo Douglas on bass guitar, Ayodele Scott on percussion, Paddy Le Mercier on violin, Clyde Kramer on drums, Ellie Jamison on vocals, and Molara on vocals. The uppity sound of "Mosumana Colle" is especially intriguing and friendly with vibrant percussion, lush vocals, and a Congolese-like guitar rhythm. After two decades of bringing Baka music to the world, Baka Beyond still has what it takes to keep listeners listening. Importantly, all royalties owed to the Baka musicians to to them via the Global Music Exchange (www.1heart.org). ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: The Mickey Finns' 'Prayers and Idle Chatter'

The Mickey Finns
Prayers and Idle Chatter
Mankeltray Music

The Celtically-inspired gospel, punk, bluegrass, and folk collective, The Mickey Finns, creates an inspirational, upbeat, and refreshing album of excellent music. The opener, "Return of The Prodigal Son," is an energetic gospel-bluegrass tune with Celtic fiddle and guitar work. The seasoned vocals make the song shine with Celtic pride. "Tanks and Barbed Wire" is a slower tune with fiddle, percussion, and guitar. "The Jester" is a playful tune with lively strings, percussion, guitar, and plucked instruments. The vocals are good and the melody is upbeat and classy. The Celtic-bluegrass connection is not that far away here. "Be Minor" is an upbeat instrumental track with bass, fiddle, percussion, and jiggy guitar. The music is contemporary, but not electronic or dance-laden in that regard. However, a little toe-tapping is expected, along with some head-nodding. Anyone with an interest in contemporary Celtic music with an ear for bluegrass, gospel, punk, and folk idioms will love The Mickey Finns. I give it a 5 out of 5. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Rachel Hair Trio's 'No More Wings'

Rachel Hair Trio
No More Wings
March Hair Records

Scottish group, Rachel Hair Trio, is a brilliant folk ensemble with a full-range of vocal melodies and instrumental delights. The music is inspired not only from Scotland, but Galicia, Brittany, Sweden, Wales, the USA, and other places with string and folk traditions. The eleven musical morsels are steeped with evocative harp, rhodes, accordion, sax, percussion, and jig-friendly guitar stylings with a hint of double bass to beef it up a bit. The rather acoustic and intimate feel of the album is not an accident. The whirling sax on "Swedish," signifies an almost Klezmer approach to jig music. Jenn Butterworth's smooth, folk-centric vocals on "Grey Funnel Line," takes on a slight Shawn Colvin resemblance amidst the folk guitar, light percussion, and harp. Fans of harp and folk music from Europe will love the contemporary musings of the Rachel Hair Trio. This album may be titled No More Wings, but it still soars away with happy melodies and compelling instrumentation. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Le Vent Du Nord's 'Tromper le temps'

Le Vent Du Nord
Tromper le temps
Borealis Records

Canada's folk group, Le Vent Du Nord, is a classy, folk-fiddling, and foot-stomping group with an uncanny ability to create memorable tracks and timeless memories. Le Vent Du Nord is Simon Beaudry, Nicolas Boulerice, Rejean Brunet, and Olivier Demers. The French-Canadian songsters incorporate a range of instruments, which provide a full, folk feel. The bouzouki, guitar, hurdy gurdy, piano, piano-accordion, bass, diabetic accordion, jaw harp, fiddle, electric guitar, and mandolin round out the instrumental repertoire. The vocals are somewhat aligned with European folk, Celtic, and Scottish melodies and rhythms, which are still uniquely Canadian. Thirteen wonderful tracks highlight the group's charm and energetic, instrumental displays. This is great for clogging, dancing, and relaxing. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Beoga's 'How To Tune A Fish'

Beoga

How To Tune A Fish

Compass

Beoga, which is Gaelic for 'lively,' entrances listeners with some energetic folk fiddling and Celtic jigs on button accordion, mandolin, guitar, bouzouki, bass, bodhran, piano, and percussion. The country swagger of 'Home Cookin' nudges at the heart-strings of America's Southland. A slew of classic songs and melodies conjure up images of vaudeville, Irish pubs, and large concert halls filled with fans dancing to the sounds of Beoga. As a follow-up to Mischief (Compass, 2008), How To Tune A Fish is more about a new wave of traditional music with a nod to modernism without the fancy dance beats, electric guitars, and atmospheric effects. Niamh's vocals are a little more rustic than the former-Celtic Woman repertoire. However, Niamh lights up the tracks with her uplifting voice. If something smells a little fishy, it is probably Beoga's How To Tune A Fish playing nearby! ~ Matthew Forss