Album Notes

Sing Out!
Vol 40 no 1
May/June/July 95

Nightingale The Coming Dawn

Nightingale is three confident and experienced musicians: Jeremiah McLane (accordion, piano) and Becky Tracy (fiddle), and Keith Murphy (vocals, mandolin, guitar). This, their debut recording together, showcases a solid ensemble and some of the finest contra-dance playing I've heard. I'd drive a long way to a dance they were playing-and I can't even dance! The trio has obviously logged scores of hours listening to great traditional and revival musicians, and hundreds more hours playing the music; they've settled into a synthesis of the best of what has gone before, from Quebecois style (including the infectious dancing feet we've all grown to love) to revival Irish to classic contras, all presented with energy and delight. Fiddler Tracy provides the most exciting moments. She has wonderful lift, drive and scrape to her playing; she's not afraid to take chances and they always pay off. Her slow airs and song accompaniments are smooth, soothing and beautifully phrased. Murphy's guitar and mandolin playing are keen and precise, from quiet melodies to propulsive backup. He's a master of middle-voices-and-drone open-tuning Irish style, but can ker-chunka-chunka French-Canadian swing style with verve. McLane is that rare piano accordion player, a musician rather than a button pusher. He plays with restraint and ingenuity, phrases beautifully, enjoys changing textures and goes a long way toward improving the reputation of his often-maligned instrument. The trio understands that "less is more"-they play with many combinations of solo and duo voices before kicking into ensemble sections, and they build a medley masterfully. Murphy's warm, poignant voice, reminiscent of Dannie Carnahan, suit his guitar-mandolin style; his best songs are "Trios-Navires" and "Tickle Cove Pond," both Canadian. Producer Pete Sutherland has done a great job-all the instruments have depth and clarity and sit together very naturally in his mix. This recording is a pleasure from start to finish.--JP


Celtic Heritage
April May 1996
Vol 10 no 2

Nightingale the Coming Dawn
The state of Vermont sits at a cultural crossroads. French Canadian musical styles are mixed with those of Ireland, cape Breton and Newfoundland to create a uniquely New England style. Nightingale is able to combine these various musical influences into a diverse package that is a joy to hear. Keith Murphy, originally from Newfoundland, provides a solid backdrop on guitar and mandolin for fiddler Becky Tracy and accordion player Jeremiah McLane. Murphy's wonderful voice is displayed on a variety of songs culled from different sources. "Trickle Cove Pond" was from Newfoundland as well as Wade Nemsworth's "Black Fly," which has been immortalized in a National Film Board short film, are given inventive treatment. The instrumental are a unique blend of Irish, Cape Breton and Norwegian tunes. Compositions by Cape Bretoners Jerry Holland and John Campbell are also included. This CD hasn't left my player since it arrived. With so many major recording companies releasing Celtic music, it is nice to receive a small label release out of left field which blows away most of the competition.

Fiddler
Summer 1995

Nightingale The Coming Dawn

Nightingale is a new band from Vermont that plays tunes and songs from a side variety of traditions including Irish, Scandinavian, and French Canadian. While this is not a CD of fiddle music per se, the fiddle of Becky Tracy is integral to the sound of the band. I admired the way she blends her fiddle seamlessly with the accordion of Jeremiah McLane. This CD is a good example of musicians playing with-not for-each other. A good example of this is "Reel a Raymond," a tune that Jeremiah and Becky learned in slightly different versions. Becky's version has more of a contra dance feel while Jeremiah's is more swinging. So they mix the two together, at first alternating and then blending the two versions. The fine rhythm guitar and lead vocals are by Keith Murphy. All in all a strong first effort. I look forward to their next release. -Michael Simmons