Label: Coracle – CR001
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Country: UK & Ireland
Released: 5 Nov 2020
Genre: Electronic, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Ambient, Drone, Folk
Stunningly intricate and atmospheric Irish folk guitar soli LP out of Belfast.
When you’re more used to chopped up drums and warm pads or grimy laptop clatter it can be hard to get your head around a record made by people who can actually play their instruments. And obviously technique for its own sake isn’t what we are here for. Knowing how to do it, and then doing it as it should be done is normally an approach taken by people who are missing the point. But, when the ego takes a backseat and deft instrumental technique and deep knowledge of folk tradition are put at the service of a beautifully minimal recording, it’s easy to fall head over heels. Paddy Mckeown’s ‘The Good Step’ hits this sweet spot dead on. Warm woody string patterns tumble over each other endlessly, ebbing, flowing and renewing themselves, so that any sense of ‘playing’ drifts away and you are held comfortably still as a ribbon of warm sound uncurls around you. The high point is the ten minute ‘Peregrinations’ which adds soft sighing drones to create an ECM/Kranky/Fonal endless cotton wool feeling that is more that worth the entry price.. (Mint / New)
Tracklist
A1 Paddy McKeown– On the Rings of C Natural 3:33
A2 Paddy McKeown– Farewell to Avebury 4:16
A3 Paddy McKeown– A Mid March Brouhaha 4:27
A4 Paddy McKeown, Ben Flavelle-Cobain– Peregrinations 10:16
B1 Paddy McKeown– One Morning, Very Early/Tea for Three 4:48
B2 Paddy McKeown– Jigs 3:19
B3 Paddy McKeown– The Mooncoin Waltz 4:15
B4 Paddy McKeown– Thingolo 4:42
B5 Paddy McKeown– The B Reel 3:12
B6 Paddy McKeown– Swan Song 4:25
