After a long absence, this release marks the welcome return to
silicon of one of the most exciting Scottish bands of the nineties. The
Wind Shall Blow For Evermore is in many ways a return to the best of Iron Horse.
It's a return to the original line-up, with three of the founders:
Gavin Marwick on fiddle, Annie Grace on whistles, and Ross Kennedy on
vocals. The missing talents of Mr Rod Paul and Miss Lynn Morrison are
substituted by latecomer Stevie Lawrence on stringy things and new boy
Stuart Glasgow on keyboards, but fortunately neither of them has opted
for long blonde hair.
It's a return to the roots of the band, to the mix of old and new
material, which they brought so vividly to life a decade ago. The last
two Iron Horse
albums were teetering on the brink of the New Age Celtic abyss, but
this one is back on traditional terra firma. Ross Kennedy brings old
chestnuts like Duncan Gray and Twa Corbies to vivid life, and tells a
very convincing tale of lost love with Helen of Kirkconnel. Gavin
Marwick's tunes are as rich and rare as ever: The Clover Field vies with
the slower, slightly Scandinavian Marstein for pride of place. Most
importantly, it's a return to top form for Iron Horse.
The opening track could come from either of the band's first two
albums: full of fire, with an untamed beauty. MacLeod's O'Rafferty is a
wonderful tune, which deserves to be up there alongside Paddy O'Rafferty
whence it was derived. The slow air Cille Choirill is a masterpiece,
mournful and enchanting, and the waltz that follows, is equally
captivating. The set of reels starting with Da Grocer is another winner,
combining dazzling technique with a deep passion for the music.
This album is much, much more than a harking back to former glory:
there are plenty of pleasant surprises. Stevie plies the wheel of his
hurdy-gurdy to great effect, turning Marstein into a spine-tingling
triumph, and he also contributes a lovely jig in Cara's Bite. Eastern
European influences are also a new departure: Charlie McKerron's
Bulgarian Red continues its popular run, and it's joined by a couple of
traditional tunes from similar vineyards. And there's more. So whether
you're a long-time fan of Iron Horse,
or just a lover of good music who hasn't been lucky enough to encounter
them before, this CD is essential listening - and extremely enjoyable
too.
Tracklist:
01. Jig - Givingamp / The Braes of Mayen / MacLeod's O'Rafferty
02. Medley - Marstein / In Watercolour / Templewod
03. Song - Duncan Gray
04. Medley - Da Grocer / The Bride's Reel / Birlin' in Brittany / The Cambridge Hornpipe
05. Song - The Twa Corbies
06. Medley - Cille Choirill / Jim's Prayer
07. Medley - Cara's Bite / Jump At the Sun / Jig of Life
08. Song - Helen of Kirkconnel
09. Medley - Amber & Steel / Brook's Bouree
10. Medley - I Love My Bouzouki / Hungarian Tune / Bulgarian Red
11. Song - The Handsome Cabin Boy
12. Medley - The Emigrant / The West End Reel / The Clover Field
10 comments:
The Wind Shall Blow Forever More
pass: folkyourself.blogspot.com
Dear Yojik! Thank you very much! I've been listening to the 1995 album "Voice of the Land" over and over again for the last few weeks, particularly "The 8-Step Waltz" and "Requiem/Fox's Glove" - beautiful tracks. That album was apparently inspired by a BBC TV series called "The Gamekeeper".
Best regards from Max in Scandinavia
P.S. Don't know why but Scottish folk music has always moved me the most. It began with Capercaillie, continued with Shooglenifty and Peatbog Faeries and all the other brilliant Scottish bands. I guess I must have been Scottish in a previous life ...
Is it possible to have this available on a different download service? I find that 1fichier to be annoying. Thanks
You`re welcome, Max.
P.S. And I was somehow very touched by Nordic folk music, Nordic cinema, Nordic literature for children. Perhaps in a past life I was an inhabitant of Scandinavia. :)
Yojik, maybe you were Ragnar Lothbrok!
:)
No, CK. I`m Karlsson på taket :)
Thanks for this great and delicate music....does anyone have more of them?
Look here:
https://rutracker.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2153062
Yojik Thank you so much!
Not at all
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