Tine Gheal/Bright Fire - Music Maker

Somehow Anam got lost in the Celtic shuttle, which sees about fifty new groups emerge each year - slight exaggeration there, but point made. It wasn't until they'd done a lot of growing up (and in public at that they're a hard working band) that waves began to be created. They lost vocalist and focus Aimée Leonard a bare fifteen months ago yet here they are bright as day and right as nine pence with a new line up and a rather enticing new album.

To the old core of Brian Ó hEadhra, Neil Davey and Treasa Harkin they've added new vocalist Fiona Mackenzie and fiddler Anna Wendy Stevenson. Add to that - guests from Shooglenifty and the fact that it was recorded at the Celtic mecca, Caste Sound in Lothian, under the assured hand of Calum Malcolm and you've the ingredients for a winner.
They've ditched a lot of the purer elements which characterised Anam of old and gone for a more modern approach with drum's 'n' bass decorating rather than dominating several slices, notably the title track and ‘In O'. However, there's enough light arid shade to show they've lost none of their skill with more traditional sources. That so much of the material is from within the band is a cheery sign, they're starting to cut the ties that bind and whilst they may never fully bury folksy beginnings, it's good enough for others why not Anam?

Unlike lots of those contemporaries there is spirit here, a factor so often ironed out in the search for smooth elegance and cool. Anam's spirit isn't that of say, the Pogues or even Sweeney's Men rather it's the Bothy Band or Planxty with a crusading zeal and respect which permeates the tracks, knowing that whilst what you're hearing is good there's better to come. This is an album that keeps you hanging on right to the last note, then rushing to set the controls to start all over again.
It's going to do them a power of good, why not? It'll do you a power of good too, just listen.

Tell a friend

Related Links