by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: Eamonn Coyne and Kris Drever
Album: "Honk Toot Suite" by Eamonn Coyne and Kris Drever
Year produced: 2007

Banjo and guitar are combined here to form the backbone of an 11-track whirling tour through the variety of acoustic Celtic sounds produced by these instruments. The perky mood of the banjo gives a truly toe-tappin, head bobbin feel to the music. When you get two individuals together that play well on their own the result is often good, but the fact that both these instruments are strings makes for a wonderfully harmonious blending of skills and a complimentary feel to the musical arrangements.

The CD mixes in acoustic tracks with some that have vocals for variety. In addition, the lineup of music features one instrument, then the other and sometimes blends the two--great--since it seems as though you get a good taste of the backgrounds and influences of each musician. It's a sort of combo-style with influences throughout that include Irish and Scottish, making for even more of an eclectic blend.

The song that points out that "combo style" of the two instruments and players the best is probably the last one, and the CDs namesake, "Honk Toot Suite." Back and forth the musicians go, building momentum and collecting energy all the while to a climactic and terrific finish.

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Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among others and reviews music for Marc Gunn's Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her photography website at www.moonbeamdigital.com.

Labels: cd_review_2007

Posted by Marc Gunn, Thursday, March 15, 2007.
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