Anam - Riptide - Mostly Folk

...They play a contrasting blend of sweet songs and tunes, and hard-driving, traditinal-sounding tunes. The sweet side, for a change, comes as much from their male vocalist as from female vocalist Aimee Leonard (who also plays a mean Bodrhan). Their voices combine beautifully, though at times the style is more reminiscent of the 60's than the 90's.

The other side of Anam's sound comes from the driving bazouki and mandolin work of Neil Davey, and the accordion of Treasa Harkin. They are backed up by some fabulous bass and drums work from the Scottish group Shooglenifty's "engine room" (Conrad Ivitsky and James Mackintosh). Davey has composed about half the tunes here, and some have the touch of greatness, especially his Cornish gavottes, his slip jigs ("The Long Night")and the closing tune "The Way is clear". The occasional use of harmonised lilting is a delightful touch too.

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