Guitarist Russ Doherty’s great-great grandfather left Ennistymon for Canada after the famine of 1849. Eventually his children traveled to Chicago where Russ was born. Returning to Ireland with his family (including daughter and vocalist Siobhan Doherty), the opening title cut is a beautifully wistful original melody that invokes a nostalgic feeling for home. Dannsair’s fourth album in as many years then weaves its journey thorough a well-arranged mix of traditional and original compositions that are intimate, expressive and sincere. Dannsair’s instrumental flavor puts the spotlight on fiddles, flutes and whistles, but a solid rhythmic foundation is crafted with guitar, keyboard, bass and percussion.  Siobhan Doherty gives us a thoughtful, contemplative vocal rendition of “The Hawk Omen,” a ballad from the Hebrides Islands.  She also demonstrates her elegant  songwriting abilities with “Remember” (a tribute to her Irish ancestors) and “The Blood Red Sun” (inspired by a large wildfire and co-penned with her father). Siobhan is a recent graduate of UC-Berkeley with a BA in Theater and Dance. Flutist Linda Holland also composed  “Ulysses’ Lament” that begins the medley found at track 10. From Chile, Andrea Arrendondo is the album’s other featured vocalist, and she has a beautiful silky voice well suited for storytelling (“Newry Highwayman”), a Richard Shindell composition (“Fleur de Lis”), or reflective love song (“Milagro de Amor”).  One of blind Irish harper Turlough O’Carolan’s classic compositions, “O’ Carolan’s Welcome,” is infused with splendid harmonies before it evolves into a rollicking reel called “Rolling in the Barrel.” The members of Dannsair are a multi-generational bunch, and they are keeping traditional Celtic music vibrant and alive while also composing new pieces that capture the same emotion and excitement as those tunes from centuries before. (Joe Ross, 29 Palms, CA)
                            Read more...