Yvonne Lyon - "Fearless"

Scottish singer-songwriter Yvonne Lyon left teaching to pursue a full-time career as a musician and that leap of faith has paid off on Fearless, her second full length recording. Yvonne delivers her brilliantly-crafted songs in a gorgeous voice full of intimacy and emotion. The effect is soothing, heartwarming and inviting. While most of the album is in the acoustic/folk vein, Yvonne proves she’s able to rock out with numbers like “Subscribe” and “Mariana”. An accomplished musician herself, she is joined by the likes of David Lyon, Chris Stout, Graeme Duffin and others to create the rich tapestry her songs are built upon.

On the surface, Yvonne’s lyrics are engaging and intimate, sweet and poignant. Yet there is a deeper story here. Though her music is rarely labeled “Christian”, Yvonne is no stranger to the Christian music scene and her Faith-centered lyrics are just as welcome in the church as on the secular stage. “Mariana” is a lovely dedication to a woman able to maintain her faith in the face of hardship and grief. In “Run To” there’s the realization that, even though we stumble and fall due to our own folly, God is still there. My personal favorites are the beautifully poignant “Come”, written for a loved one who has passed on, incorporating Matthew 11:28 as the chorus, and “Love”, a gorgeous song about the true definitions of love.

Fearless is an uplifting celebration of faith, love and peace and Yvonne’s heartfelt sincerity reaches deep into the listener.

To learn more about Yvonne, visit her official website or her MySpace page.

Kim Edgar - "butterflies and broken glass"

On butterflies and broken glass, Kim Edgar has moved into very different territory from her previous releases. Gone is the jazzy lounge sound, replaced by more contemporary pop/folk stylings. This is definitely a more mature album and readily establishes Kim as a force to be reckoned with on the Scottish singer/songwriter scene

butterflies also sees a shift in Kim’s songwriting style. Her lyrics are still well-crafted and moving, but they aren’t quite as intimate as earlier songs, as though the perspective is from a step back instead of right there in the grit with her. In general, her songwriting skills have become much tighter, due, I think, to her experiences in 2006’s Burnsong Songhouse project. There she worked side-by-side with the likes of Karine Polwart, Emma Pollock, King Creosote, MC Soom T and others. Three of the ten tracks were co-written with members of that group

The thing that has impressed me the most about butterflies is the music. Kim has composed some exceptional pieces that really form the fabric of each song. One feels the utter intensity of the situation in “Scissors, Paper, Stone,” a dramatic piece about domestic violence, as well as the lighter nostalgia that imbues “Red”. This album is full of depth and texture and excellently showcases her skills as a composer. Additionally, she is backed by a stellar cast of musicians, most of whom happen to be Karine Polwart’s band, including Karine herself. Their musical abilities and professionalism truly help set this recording apart.

Kim has a gorgeous, melodious voice and she displays a greater range than on her earlier works. My only wish here is that her voice carried a bit more of the emotion often heard in her live performances. However, this is a minor thing, as the quality throughout is outstanding. My favorite tracks are “Just Outside Your Door,” the aforementioned “Scissors, Paper, Stone,” and “House on the Hill,” co-written with Emma Pollock.

Overall, butterflies and broken glass is a brilliant recording and I’m keenly awaiting future projects.

To learn more about Kim and her music, visit her MySpace page or her official website.

Olov Johansson & Catriona McKay - Foogy

Olov Johansson and Catriona McKay have teamed up to create an album that is big, bold and bursting with amazing sound. Johansson’s nyckelharpa and McKay’s harp complement each other perfectly on this thirteen-track collection of primarily original compositions. Fresh, inventive arrangements give both artists the opportunity to show the full character of their instruments.

Though I was impressed with the wonderful melody lines, I was more impressed by the supporting roles each was able to play. It is here that the full range of the instruments can truly be appreciated, from soulful droning to bold, percussive rhythms. Whether playing lead or support, McKay and Johansson’s mastery never lets the listener forget that there are two instruments present.

The opening track “1st Class to Glasgow” is delightfully upbeat and gives a good taste of the overall feel of Foogy. Both artists excel on rapid-fire runs and there are plenty found throughout, especially on “Rain/Ekoln,” “In The Castle,” and “The Foogy Set.” Equally capable at the other end of the spectrum, McKay and Johansson deliver an achingly beautiful performance on “The Harper’s Dismissal.”

Foogy is exciting, contemporary and a definite breath of fresh air. I sincerely hope Johansson and McKay continue to collaborate on future projects.

This review is also published on Folking.com.

Lauren MacColl - Strewn With Ribbons

Scottish fiddler Lauren MacColl's sophomore release, Strewn With Ribbons, is an eleven-track collection of original compositions and traditional tunes from the Highland Collections. Lauren is soundly supported by band members Barry Reid on guitar and Mhairi Hall on piano, with guest appearances by Donald Shaw on accordion and harmonium, Su-a Lee on cello, and Chris Stout on viola.

The album opens with "Oigfhear A Chuil Duinn (Young Man of the Brown Hair)," which is the surprise track of the album. It begins with Lauren's characteristic crystalline playing, but as it moves into the driving "Poolachrie," the style becomes grittier and more impassioned, to fantastic effect.

Lauren delivers brilliantly energetic performances on the strathspeys, reels and jigs found here, especially on "The Prophet," "Happy Hours," and "Highland Wedding," but the true gems of this album are the slow airs. There are few Highland fiddlers who do them better. Not only is her playing exquisitely poignant, but the arrangements give Strewn With Ribbons a depth and maturity that are simply stunning.

The sonorous tones of Su-a Lee's cello on "'S Trom Trom A Tha Mi (Sad, Sad Am I)" provide a perfect counterpoint to the melancholy of Lauren's fiddle, while the achingly beautiful "Lament for Mr. Thomas Grant, of Glen Elgin" features a tender interplay between fiddle and viola. The album closes with the mournful "Hugh Allan," performed solely by Lauren. The stark emotion of the piece lingers long after the music ends.

Strewn With Ribbons is a gorgeous journey from start to finish. Do yourself a favor and get a copy.

This review is also published on Folking.com.

Beoga - The Incident

Irish group Beoga delivers a rollicking romp across genres on The Incident, their third album. Though the group refuses to detail the event that inspired the title track, this album is a lively and entertaining mix of jigs, reels, polkas and songs filtered through the quirky minds of the band.

Beoga sets the tone with "Lamped," a tune that swerves between pulsing and sedate before launching into a high-octane finish, complete with party sirens. Equally exciting is the Klezmer-flavored "The Flying Golf Club" set, which begins with "The Jewish Polka" and ends with a tune inspired by an amusement park mishap. Lest one thinks Beoga is all high energy, the band performs a lovely rendition of Ciaran O'Grady's "The Bellevue Waltz."

Niamh Dunne gives stellar vocal performances on the gospel number "Strange Things," done in a ragtime style, and the amusing "On The Way," which features the guest vocals of Joe Echo (Ciaran Gribbin) and a gentle Calypso beat.

The Incident is a delightful, feel-good album and confirms Beoga's place as a powerhouse in the Irish traditional scene.

This review is also published on Folking.com.

GiveWay - Lost In This Song

GiveWay's third album, Lost In This Song, is markedly different from their previous releases. Produced by Phil Cunningham, the quartet explores new territory with strong Nashville and funk sounds. Four of the five vocal tracks would be perfectly at home on Country stations throughout the U.S. Lead singer Kristy Johnson really hits her stride on the upbeat breakup song "This One's On You" and the traditional "The Water Is Wide." The latter features a simple musical arrangement that allows her voice to soar over the melody and provides a beautiful close to the album.

The instrumental tracks, most composed by Fiona Johnson, push the boundaries even further. After giving a nod to their roots on the gentle "Violets," the quartet launches into a fantastic fusion of traditional and contemporary sounds. Fiddle and accordion are backed by electric guitar riffs, driving drum beats and funky bass popping. One has the sense that the reins have been dropped and the band has been allowed to run free. The stellar tracks "Lofty's" and "Beginning Set" really showcase the quartet's musical skills and maturity. Lost In This Song is an invigorating journey that promises even greater adventures down the road.

This review is also published on Folking.com.

Máirín Fahy - "Máirín"

Over the past few months, I've heard several Irish fiddle albums that made me feel as though I was at a recital; the playing was technically precise but there was really no joie de vivre in the music. So when I came across Máirín Fahy's album, I didn't have high hopes. However, the picture of her purple electric fiddle intrigued me enough to give it a listen. What I found was a thoroughly engaging recording full of passion and flair.

"Máirín" is a collection of mostly upbeat traditional and original material that showcases Fahy's fiddling skills. "Midnight in Galway" and "The Celtic Prancer" are the most contemporary, featuring electric guitar riffs that, in the former, seem out of place, but definitely more at home in the latter. "Tip of the Iceberg", written by fellow Riverdance member Brendan Power, is a rousing Americana-styled tune, with Power's blues harmonica jamming alongside Fahy's fiddle. The highlights of this album are Fahy's rendition of "Flower of Magherally" and the beautiful air "Mission Bay", co-written with brother Gerald. The only disappointments are the other vocal tracks, "Every Circumstance" and "Irish Maid". Fahy has a very fine voice but these songs just didn't work for me.

Overall, this is a lively and fun album and is definitely worth checking out. You can find out more about Máirín Fahy at her website.