Fine Friday, Gone Dancing (Foot Stompin', 2002) I have reviewed Nuala Kennedy's music on several occasions over the years, both as a solo performer and as a member of The Alt. I've seen her perform with Fine Friday and Harem Scarem, but I've never reviewed their music -- until now, when I pulled a copy of Fine Friday's Gone Dancing off the rack and played it again, the first time in a few years. I've forgotten how good it is. Kennedy doesn't take point on this project; Kris Drever leads the way on the songs, while Kennedy provides vocal support. Instrumentally, they all share the load: Kennedy plays flute and F whistle, Drever plays guitar and double bass, and Anna-Wendy Stevenson plays fiddle. The band formed in a pub in Edinburgh, Scotland, where Orkney-born Drever joined forces with regular session leaders Kennedy, a transplant from Dundalk, Ireland, and Stevenson, an Edinburgh native. It's a good mix, often sedate but always exceptionally well arranged and performed. The songs are good, but it's in the instrumental tracks where this trio really shines. This is one of those discs you should keep in your collection and pull down sometimes to remind yourself how good the music can be. |
Rambles.NET music review by Tom Knapp 23 May 2020 Agree? Disagree? Send us your opinions! |