Fairbridge Festival 2010 Sampler “Crossing Rhythms”

The theme of the 2010 festival “Crossing Rhythms” weaves its way through this year’s CD.

Bursting into life with the amazing rhythmic dexterity and musicianship of Mara!, their track Curl Curl Curl features beguiling melodies in 15/16 time. Strangely satisfying to this Western ear!

It is a step back to the more familiar on the second track. Sally Dastey and her fine band cruise effortlessly in 6/8 through Walk Alone. A lovely lilt and Sally’s soaring vocals give this track its warm appeal.

Greg Sheehan is synonymous with the intricacies of rhythm. His track Laura is a romantic tribute to his wife. Played with great sensitivity on the incredible and rarely found Swiss “Hang” drum, Greg has the rare ability to turn tuned percussion into moods and emotions – a very worthy tribute.

The theme of love continues with Scotland’s Eddi Reader and her beautiful rendition of Silent Bells. The three time feel of this gorgeous song sits very comfortably under the gentle lyrics.

The rhythmic mood changes again as we encompass a series of Latin based tracks. Nano Stern’s Azul is evocative of a balmy night in Chile that starts quietly and turns into something strong and memorable. The feel is cruisy and loose and as the song builds in dynamic, the smooth vocal, guitar and rolling snare beat slowly invites you in.

Tango for Billy by The Barons of Tang travels from frenetic to familiar and places beyond – a total tango experience - an enticing rhythm given both respect and a turbo boost.

The Fiddle Chicks explore the tango in a totally different way in the exotically inspired Double-oh-seven – a song that name checks a swag of movie titles, as does our concert program this year. A sparse but essential violin arrangement in traditional tango time is craftily offset by the well constructed lyrics.

Hunterdon Bolero is also based in Latin dance traditions and features the breathtaking guitar wizardry of Beppe Gambetta. Reviews describe him as “an almost unnaturally gifted flatpicker and fingerstylist … who possesses superhuman grace on the instrument." It’s true!

We move to the reggae-tinged Dancing with You and the sound of West Australian singer Toby. There is something infectious in reggae rhythms and this feel is perfect for the song. Sung with the strength so evident in her live performances and sweetly played by the band.

Tom McConville’s Pretty Fair Maid provides a fine and firm Anglo-Celtic reference point with this typically stirring love song in the English folk tradition. Tom’s lively singing and playing are joyous and uplifting.

Lucky Oceans (at the festival this year with his all-star Darling Rangers lineup) is renowned for his prowess on the pedal steel guitar, and his ability to make it sing. Woodwork is both a setting for his fine playing and powerful voice, as well as an engaging slice of musical life in California in 1970. This track really swings in every way.

Catfish by the Ten Cent Shooters is a little known blues tunes from the 1920’s. Its underlying rhythmic feel, the punctuating harmonica and the unusual phrasing of the lyrics make it a very appealing and catchy song – great for blues dancing!

We take another historical, geographical and cultural leap, this time with a French traditional song, Les Tisserands (The Weavers) played by Canadian band Genticorum. There is liveliness in every aspect of this song – the exuberant singing, fine playing and foot percussion are a very satisfying combination.

We travel back even further in time with Andrew Cronshaw and Ian Blake. Bridal March is an ancient hymn with Finnish origins. It is played with great reverence and the feeling of ceremony.

It also leads us very gently to Michael Kennedy and his song of reverence inspired by St Francis. The quality of Michael’s voice is almost angelic and his exquisite guitar picking on Francis Has His Way makes this song both complete and very beautiful.

Dva is a unique duet of percussion and reeds that are a great example of cross cultural collaboration. Odmor Malko is a highly original piece that lets each instrument speak equally and evoke their original traditions.

James Keelaghan’s songs explore the traditional stories of his Canadian heritage. Harvest Train is such a story – railroads, wheatfields and leaving home. He is a true folk singer.

Vin Garbutt’s live recording of It Couldn’t Be Done is a song based on Edgar Guest’s poem. Its humorous appeal is enhanced by Vin’s characterful singing and sharp guitar playing.

The final track is by Boo Hewerdine. A Cloud No Bigger Than Your Hand is another beautifully written love song full of imagery and artistry.

The journey through these tracks covers an enormous spectrum of musical endeavour and captures the musical essence of the 2010 festival.

Track selections and notes by Reuben Kooperman.