Customer Reviews

Haven

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Flook are a phenomenon in the traditional music scene. An unusual pairing of twin flutes (Sarah Allen & Brian Finnegan) with guitar (Ed Boyd) and bodhran (John Joe Kelly), they play mostly neo-Celtic tunes. Despite their apparently constrained instrumental palate, they play with the kind of frenzied energy and (literally) breathtaking skill that has listeners shaking their heads in wonder.

Their third studio album continues in the same happy groove as their previous albums, although guest appearences on harp (Catriona Mackay) and banjo (Leon Hunt) vary the feel a little. There's also more melodic work from Boyd on guitar (eg "Souter Creek") and Kelly on mandolin ("Mouse Jigs"). But when it comes down to it, the best moments on "Haven" are when Flook are flying full throttle on their main instruments, with guest musicians hanging on for dear life. Good examples include "Mouse Jigs", "Wrong Foot Forward" and "Padraig's".

One small niggle: at just over 42 minutes "Haven" ends rather sooner than I would have liked. Nevertheless this is an incredibly tight and talented band playing some of the most exciting folk music around at present.

Sarah Allen on flute and accordian, Brian Finnegan on flute and whistle, Ed Boyd on guitar and bouzouki and John Joe Kelly on bodhran(Irish/Celtic drum)and mandolin in tightly arranged and energetic tracks with twin flute or flute and whistle leads are a trademark of Flook. This could be called "Neo Celtic," meaning it is traditional Irish and UK music inspired, but with innovative arrangements and ornamentation.

Michael McGoldrick, flute, was with them for a first album, "Live." He quit in 1997 and went to Capercaille, a popular Scottish band. John Joe Kelly started with them on their second album, adding a needed strong rhythm to their music.

John Joe Kelly has a huge range of percussion on the bodhran. His style is significantly different and more aggressive than most other players and paces the band on fast tunes. He plays the new "Top Down" style, which is typically faster utilizing a different grip on the drum stick or tipper similar to holding a pencil. Because of the high energy blend of Irish and English, Flook has been an important bridge in the UK between the younger generations and their "root" traditional music. This is why their concerts and club-pub appearances have been so popular in the UK and Europe.

In their second album, Flatfish, they established their trademark two and three flute or flute whistle leads with strong guitar and bodhran rhythm back up. In third CD Rubai, the band continued to develop this interesting new approach to traditional style music. Then they came out with their third album, Haven, which is in my opinion their best. They have won UK folk music awards in 2003 and 2006.

They were busy playing concerts until recently and have at least temporarily quit as a group. Hopefully, they will consider starting Flook again with this unique and lively style of music.

One of the finest works I've heard in recent times. A delicated balance.The powerfull instrumental skill doesn't break, but contributes to, the warm and quiet atmosphere felt in the background of each tune.

A lot of celtic instrumental bands got a full line up of traditional instruments, bagpipee/hornpipes, guitar, mandolin/la, fiddle, bodhrán, accordian, etc.. but does that mean a full band like that can perform very together? Not necessarily. To be precise, if you don't want overwhelmed lead solos sound. Flook's line up is considerably light. Guitar, flute, tin whistle and bodhrán. Don't let the simplicity fool you. These guys are capable of pulling off some of the really fast uptempo tunes without overwhelmingly destroying the solo part.

I personally like Lunasa and solas. But none of those bands have a regular member for percussion which leads to my next determinator. Rhythm and beats are well tailored for each tune on Flook's albums. It really heightens each section of music.

Guitar section is very well arranged. It's mostly doing the backup rhythm work. It pairs particularly well with the bodhrán. You can usually hear the guitar starts the tune then bodhrán drops in. Once in a while you can hear crosspicking work being done. A very consistant guitarist can be heard here.

Tin whistle and flute are the solo duo. You can occasionally hear the harmonies interchangeably. I really like the duo here. It sounds very light and happy. Yes I said happy. I don't know if you sometimes get the annoying feeling by listening to fiddles and horn/bagpipes. I do! So believe me, you won't get that annoying, sleepy feeling after all with Flook's music.

I highly recommend Flook to instrumental lovers. Check out all their albums. It's not an ordinary band you would've imagined. This is incredible!!!

Although the band is not from Ireland, you'd never know it. Of course, there are musicians from many places such as Canada, Australia, USA,Scotland and Galicia in Spain that effectively play Celtic music and add this band to the ever growing list. This is an all instrumental CD with a fairly brief running time of 42 minutes but what's here is good music played well.

No "One hit wonders" these.

Flook has crafted a fine mix of delicious tunes.

How to describe it...
Like stumbling upon a summer's eve party in full swing. Lively, lush, complex and inviting. Since I've had this CD I've been drawn back to it again and again.

I can't wait to hear their next project!

I have heard of Flook before on Accurdio's Radio Celt and promised myself that would explore this unique group's music further someday. Last week I finally received my copy of "Haven" and found myself very pleasantly surprised by what I heard when given the opportunity to listen to their music on something better than cheap computer speakers.

Flook consists of 2 flute players, a guitar player and a very very fine Bodhran player. The sound they create is exhilarating and mood changing. This is Celtic music you can turn the volume up on a fine sound system and enjoy it even more--it begs to be played that way.

The music's all instrumental and acoustic with some other instrumental guests playing accordian, banjo, and other instruments on certain tracks.
The flute play dominates here and is very fast paced on some tracks to slow and melodic on others. The Bodhran play is probably some of the best you will hear anywhere--truly intoxicating at times. Probably the most underrated part of Flook's music is Ed Boyd's guitar playing. While on many songs his guitar opens a song and fills as harmony it is very lively and an integral part of Flook's sound.

If you are looking for to diversify your Celtic listening pleasure then please give Flook your consideration. It's fine music played very well.

I love this album, just like every Flook album. Their music has a kind of energy that sets them apart from other trad Irish bands. This one seems to have a bit more substance than previous ones, a less airy character, it's a bit more earthy. I usually get bored by slow airs, but those on this album are delicious :-)