REVERIE ROAD
Philippe Cousin
I've featured Winifred Horan, one of the founding members of the Irish-American band Solas, in my Trad Mag reviews on a number of occasions, having previously played with the Sharon Shannon Band and the all-female band Cherish The Ladies, either on her albums with Solas or on her own albums or recordings with other musicians.
Now she's back in the news, joining forces with another early member of Solas, accordionist and flautist John Williams, former Gaelic Storm violinist Katie Greennan (who also plays mandolin and banjo) and jazz and râga (Indian music) pianist Utsav Lal, to form the group Reverie Road. Quite a programme. And a beautiful eponymous debut album.
A fresh and eclectic Celtic combination. Firmly rooted in their Irish roots, but not limited to them, the members of Reverie Road give us the chance to hear their light, inventive music. Alongside a number of Irish tunes, including Emma's Reels, Land's End, Snowy Drifts, The Calico Set, The Gap of Dreams by Altan's Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, and the traditional standard The Rocks of Bawn, they make a little foray into the Shetland Islands on Naked and Bare. Then, reflecting their interest in music from France, we are surprised to hear waltzes, Très Élégante and a mazurka, La Femme de Marbre. The whole thing closes with a suite of reels in the best vein, The Flooded Road.
Combining never-failing energy with a tasteful eclecticism, this quartet offers us lively tunes rooted in the Irish tradition. It's a captivating and original experience, and we are already waiting for further recordings.
Autoproduit – www.reverieroadmusic.com