What a title! But you know what, it fits. Pig's Eye Landing combines Irish, bluegrass and folk and they sound as refreshing as the liquid in the title. They are music lovers who play with heart and soul and this comes across very well on Like Water from a Mountain Stream.

The opening track features some reels from French-Canadian fiddle tunes and they captured me on the very first listen. They then move on to the well-known "Cumberland Gap," where they give a new take on the traditional piece. They even go so far as to add some original lyrics that I really enjoyed.

I loved the music that was new to me. Although they got it from a 1930s recording, I never heard "Walk Along John to Kansas" before and it was a revelation. Just listening I could imagine the barn dance and the straw and the dancers -- fantastic. "Thirty Years" is a waltz written by a band member for his wife and I for one am so glad he shared it. His subtitle "Waltzing Melinda" is beautiful. I enjoy playing this full volume.

"Black Jack Davey" is well known in a number of guises -- he is that gypsy with whom the lord's lady runs off. This is a very good version and it knits well with the tune "Butterstone Village Hall." I loved the title of one of tunes on track 9 -- "I Buried My Wife and I Danced on Her Grave." Apparently it is an old Irish tune -- I might have guessed.

Not content with giving excellent renditions of Irish, bluegrass, Canadian and Scottish tunes, the group then launches into a Scandinavian tune, "Schottische," and do a superb job of it. If the notes are to believed, "Fort Smith" is a favourite tune for Amy for clogging. The mind boggles and I dream of seeing this band play live. I feel it would be an experience. Another vocal offering is "Shawneetown." This appears to trace the lyrics back to the 1820s and is sung in sweet harmony.

I cannot praise the content of this CD too highly. It appears to be self-produced so may not be easily acquired. If you want to experience joyous music and try to capture loving players seek it out.

- Rambles
written by Nicky Rossiter
published 28 December 2002

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