How’s this for a combination? Take a North American harp maestro, pitch her against a Scottish Bluegrass dobro aficionado and mix in an Irish percussive magician wielding the bodhran and other elements! The result is a surprisingly relaxing collection of traditional music (in a not so traditional format) from Scotland, Wales and across the pond. An eclectic mix of styles from Appalachian dance tunes and Scottish reels to American Gospel folk songs flows easily from one track to the next on the North Atlantic Trio’s album “Some Part of Something.”
Cheyenne Brown on harp, Dave Currie on dobro and vocals and Dave Boyd on percussion are given equal opportunity to express their technical prowess in instrumental tracks juxtaposed with songs, and the arrangements vary from a mystical Eastern vibe from the harp in the improvisatory opening of “Crossing the Cumberlands,” to the country feel of “Sally in the Gardens”. Rhythmic peculiarities found in American dances feature in the set starting with “Clinch Mountain Backstep” and the Welsh traditional tune “The Cuckoo” is partnered nicely with the American “Whisky Before Breakfast”. Phil Cunningham’s “Monday Morning Reel” is paired with the traditional American tune “Red Haired Boy” with a world first having the former, a standard harp repertoire tune, performed on dobro! The “Gloomy Winter’s Noo Awa”, a wistful Scots song, is contrasted with “Wayfaring Stranger” a well known American Gospel number made famous recently by Eva Cassidy. The album finishes with two self penned tunes “Diane’s Desserts” as a tribute to a maker of fine puddings who provided her services during the recording sessions.
The brasher tonality of the dobro works well set against the purer silkier sounds of the harp whether they are playing in unison or in counterpoint. Dave Boyd’s percussion provides the context as within tracks the music will often change style completely. Despite this being a unique combination of instruments the “Some Part of Something” feels very comfortable but never falls into the trap of being predictable. With all the sets being arranged by the trio the mix of instruments, styles, experience and cultures works really well.
Although they have been performing together at festivals for the past couple of years “Some Part of Something” is the debut album of the North Atlantic Trio but I’m sure it will be the first of many!
Janet M Roe
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