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Here's a traditional Celtic album with a matching Celtic-look cover. Having also a Celtic-sounding name, it would only be
reasonable to expect this band to hail from some small island off the west coast of Ireland or Scotland. But that would be presumption indeed, for, while it in no way inhibits the thoroughly Celtic feel to this band's
music, Isle of Light are actually based in.....er...... Mt Hermon in the Santa Cruz mountains of California!
Most band members have been playing in various groups for many years, coming together as
a Celtic combo in '94/95. 21 year-old David Brewer is the relative newcomer, having previously studied bagpipes in bonnie Scotland; being also adept at Irish whistles, bodhra'n drum, and bones! Such inherent talent
overflows on this disc from the start, as IoL charm us with a highly infectious set of jigs, reels and graceful airs, some composed by Brewer or guitar-maestro Jeff Wilkinson, others as old as the Wexford hills!
These foot-tapping tunes are interspersed with several vocal melodies sung by Jeff's wife Mary Kay, perhaps not with the pathos and distinction of a Joanne Hogg or Maire Brennan, but clear, sensitive and attractive
nonetheless. My favourite is the self-composed 'Re-kindle the fire' which brings in both cello and harp to create a gorgeously tender prayer ballad.
Dedicated to
'The Father of Lights, for everything, especially his Son', it's obvious where these guys get their inspiration. And, while not as experimentative and engaging as the music of ingenious Iona, these tunes are yet
more accessible and certainly highly appealing. Just try listening to the simple beauty of 'The water is wide' or 'Bird of heaven' without being moved! Here indeed are beautiful Celtic tones that you're
bound to enjoy, and that you don't have to cross the Atlantic to appreciate!
Review by tom lennie |
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