Recording Reviews
Just a small sampling of the reviews in the current issue

Hector Zazou Lights in the Dark [Detour 3984-21662 (1998)] Hector Zazou has made it his life's work to put together unlikely elements into a glorious whole, and this is no exception, stepping into Irish sacred song. What could be horrible new-age Celticisms become things of amazing strength and beauty, from a spiritual feel (as in trad. spiritual) to something as airy as an early church. Zazou is the French Eno, a remarkable mind and vision who can juxtapose people from many cultures – some of them quite well known – and produce a fabulous finished product. (CN)

Kate & Anna McGarrigle
The McGarrigle Hour
Hannibal HNCD 1417 (1998)

This is not your typical McGarrigles record. In fact, in many ways, it's better than nearly all the others. More than 20 years ago, these demure sisters from Quebec emerged from an era of overwrought singer-songwriters to craft some of the prettiest and evocative music of our time. Although they've never really had a wide-scale commercial breakthrough, their soaring harmonies and simple, but memorable melodies helped redefine the notion of folk music for a generation. Now, they've taken an adventurous turn by going full circle and recording what they're calling a musical documentary with a cast that includes their sister, former and present husbands, children, long-time accompanists and their original producer. Among them are some familiar names, such as Loudon Wainwright III, Kate McGarrigle's former husband, and Joe Boyd, who may be best known for producing the nascent Fairport Convention. A pair of well-known friends, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris, also appear.

But rather than do something safe, like update their old songs, the McGarrigles continue to show their imaginations by choosing old favorites – including songs by D.L. Menard and Cole Porter – that further display their talent for meaningful interpretation and clever arrangements. Wisely, they also fade into the background on several numbers, letting their offspring, such as up-and-comer Rufus Wainwright, and faithful sideman, Chaim Tannenbaum take the microphone. The results are stirring. A highlight is their version of Irving Berlin's "What'll I Do?" a plaintive ballad that they'd sung at their mother's funeral and recreate here with such passion that it's impossible not to cry as you listen to them harmonize. But there are many playful moments, too, such as when they tackle Jesse Winchester's "Skip Rope Song" and Loudon Wainwright's "Schooldays." As a nod to their longstanding fans, they render another take of one of their signature songs, "Talk to Me of Mendocino." Taken together, the effect is as if youturned on a radio and come across a station that plays a mix of sounds that the McGarrigles would like to hear themselves. And it works so well because it combines not only so many diverse talents, but a blend of people who know and love each other in ways that, perhaps, can best be expressed through song. By gathering friends and family, especially younger ones, the McGarrigles are encouraging another generation to continue the important work of making soulful music. It's a marvelous experiment, one that is a pleasure to hear. — Ed Silverman (Millburn, NJ)

The Nields Play [Zoë/Rounder 01143-1002 (1998)] Mix together tight harmonies, the ability to build an atmosphere throughout a song, and bouncy acoustic pop hooks, and you've got The Nields. The songs of Play are divided into two Acts and 14 Scenes, each of which captures some aspect of life and hope and falling apart and staying together. These are complicated lyrics in uncluttered, yet whimsical, settings. In its writing and performance, Play reflects the ability of the Nields to set high standards for their work, as well as their play. (IE)

Värttinä
Vihma
Wicklow 09026 63262 (1998)

Värttinä strikes again with Vihma. The seventh album by this nine-piece Finnish band is its best since 1992's Seleniko [recently reissued by NorthSide], and the new disc leaves me thrilled, transfixed, and invigorated, just like Seleniko. While vocalist Mari Kaasinen remains, her sister and group co-founder Sari Kaasinen is no longer with Värttinä, and the band carries on just fine without her. Accordionist Riitta Kossi is also absent, replaced by vocalist and squeezebox player Susan Aho. The sequencing of the 13 tracks on the album works to perfection; the flow is tremendous — from fast tempo, harder-edged material with energized vocals and plenty of instrumental backing, to quieter, calmer numbers featuring folky acoustic guitars — and the disc succeeds flawlessly as a unified whole. Vihma's title track gets the CD underway with a techno-noise/kettle drum intro that leads into a speedy, uptempo song with fiddle, accordion, and classic, frenetically-paced Värttinä call and response vocals, and the mix will make your hair stand on end. Next, there's the hard-driving, percussive "Tielle Heitetty" with Balkan leanings (and instruments) a la Three Mustaphas Three. That's followed by a mid-tempo, beautiful lament with exquisite harmony vocals and acoustic guitar to the fore. This cut segues to a song about a poor homeless drifter, and the piece builds from a simple fiddle/solo vocal start into a rousing, emotionally powerful effort with stirring harmony singing and rollicking percussion.

Värttinä took chances with some of the arrangements, but everything works extremely well. When I saw a pair of Tuvan throat singers serving as guest vocalists, I feared they would fit in worse than veal cutlets at an animal rights banquet. But the Tuvan voice-as-instrument is a welcome ingredient on three tasty tracks, including a special remix of "Vihma." "Uskottu Ei Uupuvani," a slow, full, somber song with the (translated) lyrics "Mother, why didn't you abandon me/ When I was a newborn child/ Why didn't you toss your infant into the fire" includes not only the Tuvans, but also the string section of the Finnish group JPP. The instrumentalists and vocalists capture the atmosphere of anguish and desperation felt by the song's protagonist.

All the selections, from the wild to the serene, are written by members of the group. Complete Finnish lyrics, and song summaries in English, are provided in the booklet that accompanies this triumphant recording. - Al Riess (Buffalo, NY)