Downriver

by Karen Matheson

Overview

Downriver is a gently rolling album, featuring Karen Matheson's resonant vocals on a handful of songs mostly in Gaelic. Everything -- the vocals, the songs, and the spare arrangements -- works in unison to evoke the quiet river of the album's cover. With their peaceful foundation, songs like "Chi Mi Bhuam" and "Gleann Baile Chaoil" are perfectly suited for quiet moments of reflection or just plain relaxation. Matheson is joined by a number of players, including pianist Donald Shaw (who also produced the album), guitarist James Grant, fiddler Aidan O'Rourke, and, in various places, several background singers, each helping to craft a seamless backdrop behind her vocals. Unless one happens to speak Gaelic, Downriver holds a certain air of mystery, because the lyrics aren't reprinted in the liner notes. The album deviates from this course in two instances with English versions of "I Will Not Wear the Willow" and "Singing in the Dark." This will probably matter little to most listeners, though some may find these deviations distracting to the flow and mystery of the album. Taken as a whole, however, Downriver is a very enjoyable effort that manages to combine the best of the old and new, and it will serve as a fine introduction to Matheson's warm vocals. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.

Product Details

Release Date:	02/21/2006
Label:	Compass
UPC:	0766397442525
Rank:	103419

Tracks

1. Chi Mi Bhuam (I See Afar)
2. Cronan Beloghainn/'s Moch an Diu Gun d'Rinn Mi Eirigh
3. Gleann Baile Chaoil (Ballachulish Glen)
4. I Will Not Wear the Willow
5. O Mhairi 's Tu Mo Mhairi (Mary, You Are My Mary)/Riobainean Riomhach
6. Laoidh Fhearchair Eoghainn (Song for Farqhuar Ewen)
7. O Nach Eisdeadh Tu'n Sgeul le Aire (Oh That You Would Listen to ...)
8. Singing in the Dark
9. Puirt a Beul (Mouthmusic)
10. Luadh an Toraidh (Harvest Waulking)
11. Crucan Na Bpaiste (Burial Place of the Children)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Karen Matheson   Primary Artist
Aidan O'Rourke   Fiddle
James MacKintosh   Drums,Percussion
Scottish Ensemble   Strings
James Grant   Bass,Banjo,Dobro,E-Bow,Guitar,Mandolin,Vocals (Background)
Donal Lunny   Bodhran,Bouzouki
Michael McGoldrick   Pipe
Ewen Vernal   Double Bass,Vocals (Background)
Jacqui Penfold   Viola
Cheryl Crockett   Violin
Jonathan Morton   Violin

Technical Credits

Donald Shaw   Audio Production
James Grant   Composer
Donal Lunny   Arranger
Mark Sheridan   String Arrangements
Karen Matheson   Arranger
Brendan Graham   Composer
Kevin McCrae   String Arrangements
James Robert Morrison   Cover Design
J.M. Cameron   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Paul McGeechan   Engineer