by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: Aisling
Album: The Pilgrims Road
Year produced: 2007

This CD is quite enjoyable and features contemporary Celtic folk music from a band that has been around since 1997. The group sounds like they have worked at refining a really cohesive and pleasing sound over the years. You'll hear familiar instruments such as the flute, tin whistle and bodhran here, and the arrangements are well thought out.

The real magic of this CD is that the band understands that sometimes the instruments can sing as well--and they make some room to let that happen. The addition of non-traditional instruments alongside the Celtic sounds make for an interesting diversion as well. When the hammered dulcimer makes an appearance in an otherwise highly traditional song it makes one stand up and take notice.

The Ohio band is generous with thirteen tracks on the CD and each offers something a little bit different to the listener. The sheer amount of instruments that are played by band members mean that you never quite know which ones will be popping up on a particular track; which keeps things from getting dull. My personal fave is track 12, "A Walk In The Park," which manages to have a pretty even mix of Celtic and folk stylings and a nice, full sound with an unexpected vignette featuring the instruments in all their finery.

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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 other magazines, and reviews music for Marc Gunn's Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her website at CatherineLTully.com.

Labels: cd_review_2008

Posted by Marc Gunn, Monday, July 14, 2008.
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