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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Unflappable Duo, August 7, 2006
You've got to hand it to John Williams: A musician of his caliber and pedigree could very easily have spent the better part of the last decade riding the coattails of nearly unparalleled success. Born into a musical family with roots in arguably the epicenter of the traditional Irish music universe, Co. Clare, Williams found himself as a superstar early on with Solas, with whom he recorded two albums which remain in the pantheon of Greatest Traditional Recordings Ever. A few years, albums, and kids later, he found himself being heard (and seen) on movie screens from coast to coast as a featured composer and performer in the Tom Hanks/Paul Newman vehicle "The Road To Perdition". So, one would think that WIlliams, like so many other Irish-American musicians enjoying such success, would phone in a few CDs, steering clear of too many chances, and try to make his nut while the iron was hot. Not so. After two stunning, and largely non-risky, solo discs, Williams has teamed with his long-time collaborator and guitar innovator Dean Magraw and produced "Raven", an album which is as compelling as it is adventuresome. For every rollicking, toe-tapping set of jigs or reels, there is a surprise, a curve, a gem. Listeners of John Williams have long been accustomed to his extraordinary musicianship and absolutely tenable connection to Traditional music, and they will not be disappointed. Williams' fluid style and distinctive color on "Twins' Dance Party/Silvia's and Mikey's Reels" and "Southwest Wind/Wheels of the World" does nothing to knock him off the pedestal (along with Noel Hill and Niall Vallely) as The Worlds' Greatest Living Concertina Player. And Williams' accordion playing is second to none, as usual. The sound he coaxes from his two-and-a-half-row Saltarelle blends a rustic and rollicking French energy with the reserve and restraint of his family's native Clare. Even when Williams lets loose on a track like "Trippin' in Eden/The Mason's Men", it is never without clarity of purpose or undying respect for the music. Dean Magraw is up to the task at every juncture; Irish music has not heard the likes of a player like Magraw. There is a thickness and complexity to his sound that provides a lush foundation on which the two performers can construct anything from the simply elegant ("Lianna") to the adventurous ("Road to Wexford"). This is the aspect of "Raven" which will be most surprising for many listeners, and that which will separate this album from particularly Willams' previous work: Moments abound with distinct departure and merely ancillary indentification with Traditional Irish idioms, structure, and language. Is this a good thing, or a bad thing? That depends on what the listener might be after. There may be some who remain firmly entrenched in the constraints of the Traditional music this duo respects so much, who find themselves resistant to the departures explored by two sublime musicians. But to many who love and empathize with Irish tradition and its myriad of flavorings, "Raven" will represent a joyful and fascinating journey through a world of experiences, of musics, of ideas. What is undeniable, however, is that Williams and Magraw take no prisoners here, and make no apologies. It is clear that they believe very strongly in their music, and make every twist and turn not only convincing, but awash in energy and connection. "Raven" is one of those collections, like those of Martin Hayes and Denis Cahill, which displays two musicians at the top of their craft, going where others have nary the guts to go.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
So fluid, so fierce, so fine..., May 2, 2006
This album is one of those little gems that sneaks up on you and proceeds to, unexpectedly and out of nowhere, blow you away...an instrumental album of (mostly) guitar/accordion duets doesn't sound like the kind of project that would grab you by the collar and shake you, but that's just the point: the whole thing defies any preconceptions about the limits of this music. The commond ground is Irish traditional music, but it's delivered with such intricate intensity, a sort of telepathic fury, that you forget about the tradition and just get lost in the swirl.
Dean and John have apparently played concerts together for a decade or so, but have not recorded until now. They definitely know each other -- they respond to one another like jazz musicians, whether dashing out unison melodies or quirky counter-melodies, or engaging in a kind of pure improv you don't hear much of in acoustic roots music...and don't think that Dean plays the accompanist here -- he's got the chops to match Williams's accordion note-for-note, and does.
From cinematic slow ballads to the hard-driving stuff, this is not to be missed. The live tracks at the end put it over the top for me...don't let this one slip by you.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
iPod worthy Irish music CD !!, April 25, 2006
Raven is great Irish music, played masterfully. Raven has great cross-over appeal as John and Dean mix it up a bit on some tunes by adding a little jazz influence here, a little Creole influence there. Haunting aires are so peaceful to listen to. This is a CD that gets better with each listening. Perfect on my iPod.
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