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Traditional Scottish and Irish harp playing with a great jazzy twist. Old and newly composed tunes. Ailie is joined by Paul Jenning (cajon, percussion), Duncan Lyall (bass), Ewan Robertson (guitar) and James Ross (piano, harmonium).
A superb, innovatively-arranged set of tunes delivering a burgeoning, rich, warm sound. The eleven thoroughly fresh-sounding arrangements feature not only Ailie's clarsach, but also percussion (the cajon sounds excellent!), guitar, bass and piano. For me, `First Things First' demonstrates above all else just how good the clarsach can sound in a band setting. Through lively reels to exquisite slow airs, Ailie's playing effortlessly combines a vigorous, refreshing sense of `attack' with real emotion and poise.
The music leads you on a sinewy, seductive journey, starting with the deceptively languid-yet-funky groove of opening tune `The Exploding Bow' through to gorgeously expressive, poised tunes like the self-penned `Sands of Hosta' (inspired by a walk on a glorious North Uist beach). The bold freshness of these arrangements delivers the `WOW' factor big-time with a sparkling take on Donald Morrison's slip jig, `Donald, Willie & His Dog.' Here, the fabulous combination of instruments explodes into a rhythm-packed crescendo of Flamenco-style handclaps. Piper Allan MacDonald's wonderful tune 'Na Goisidich/The Gossips' gets equally fresh, funked-up treatment, and the effect is stunning!
A wonderful debut solo release by this young Scottish musician who isn't afraid to fuse contemporary, jazz-inflected playing with the traditional Scottish and Irish playing techniques developed over the years. This is gorgeous stuff.
Track listing:
1. The Exploding Bow / The Lisnagun / Swerving for Bunnies: (S. Graham / B. Ring / A. Robertson)
2. Micho Russell’s / Na Goisidich (The Gossips): (M. Russell / A. MacDonald)
3. Ho ro mo Bhobag an Dram (The Favourite Dram): (Trad.)
4. Donald, Willie and his Dog: (D. Morrison)
5. Spirits: (A. Lyon and D. Lyon)
6. President Garfield’s / Marry Me Now: (Trad. / Trad.)
7. The Humours of Scariff / Good Spirits: (Trad. / A. Robertson)
8. The Futterat with the Grey Tail / North Highland Dance / Ray and Kevin’s Reel: (Trad. / Trad. / A. Robertson)
9. The Sands of Hosta: (A. Robertson)
10. Angus Nicholson's Trip to Barra / Port Sean Seosamh (John Joe’s) / Would the Minister Not Dance? : (N. Kennedy / Trad. / Trad.)
11. The Angel’s Share / Taureen Derby Polka / O'Connor's Polka: (A. Robertson / Trad. / Trad.)
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