From the heart...
author: Anna L. Juarez
Willson & McKee fans can rejoice over the release of "This Thin Place." All new songs but the same wonderful voices and instruments that we've come to know and love. "Bogie's Bonnie Belle" is touching and up-dated version of a tradional song, allowing the couple to tell the tale from both participants' viewpoints. There's an almost mystical poignancy to "Long Shadows" while "Beautiful Man" is a lyrical tribute to working men everywhere. "King's Shilling" was an honest look at war, Kim's voice sweet and firm as she sings of "King and country," with the realization that the shilling didn't seem much worth the war, a sentiment echoed by a modern female soldier returned from war who inspired Willson & McKee to record the song. "The Wells of Wearie" is hauntingly beautiful tune with a cute little twist as the pretty damsel proved herself to be tougher than the harper expected. "The Wizened Warrior" is a story that many of us can relate to, especially those of us that are no longer as young as we used to be. Of course, "Aghadoe" is the award winning song that shines particularly brightly in this collection of jewels, a simple tune about a simple man but performed with a richness and complexity that we've come to expect from Willson & McKee. These are songs about real people, down-to-earth, whether in hard times or happy, honesty and truth in every line. Great album, great performers! Now when can we expect another album?!?
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Melody with a message! Wow!
author: Lloyd and Faith Brynie
If you are like us, each new Willson & McKee release brings so much delight, you can hardly wait for the next one. We had to wait a while for “This Thin Place,” but it was worth it—although the title seems something of a misnomer. There is nothing “thin” about this rich, varied, emotionally deep and musically innovative collection. Willson & McKee have woven the harmonies and spun the lyrics that fill us with alternating joy and sadness, mirth and contemplation. The music is varied—from traditional to McKee’s contemporary and original compositions. The jokes are funny; the serious sentiments, profound and uplifting.
We can’t mention all our favorites on this new CD, but here are a few that stand out:
• “Mormond Braes” is a traditional toe-tapper that reminds women there are plenty of fish in the sea. Love the fiddle!
• “Aghadoe” is a McKee original that won a major songwriting award. Its blends gentle sounds of accordion and hammer dulcimer with words that evoke the Irish countryside and provide the metaphor for the CD’s title.
• The haunting minor chords that evoke the mystery of the Irish history and culture turn up in McKee’s original “Long Shadows” and the McKee/Willson contemporary instrumental “Adders in the Heather” (which, like the other originals on this CD, has a good story to go along with it).
• McKee sees meaning and message everywhere, and she shares them in her homage to the hands of working people in “Beautiful Man,” her entreaty for peace in “Wizened Warrior,” and her story of what she learned from an Irish worm in “Silkworm’s Flight.”
It’s axiomatic: “Save the best for last,” and Willson a& McKee do just that with the CD’s closing song “When Next We Meet.” It’s another McKee original that works its way into your mind and heart and sets up housekeeping. The melody is captivating, and it carries a message that lingers: time brings its changes and heartaches, but there’s reason to carry on with hope. It’s a message we can embrace. We can hardly wait until the next Willson & McKee CD comes out!
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These are consummate musicians whose joy in sharing their music is evident to th
author: Richard Hodges
If you truly get pleasure from the breadth of Irish music, then buy Willson & McKee’s, “This Thin Place”. These modern minstrel’s intricate instrumentals and evocative vocals capture the essence of the Irish spirit from lachrymose laments through joyous jigs. These are consummate musicians whose joy in sharing their music is evident to the listener.
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Kim and Ken are a supreme duo.
author: Barbara Yule
Kim and Ken are a supreme duo. Their voices are wonderful and together they make a perfect blend – an creamy Irish coffee with the finest whisky is the image that comes to mind. Their song arrangements and the use of their many instruments show ingenuity and originality, nothing sentimental, yet even in their realism there is sensitivity. Both their songs and music display an awareness of the Celtic soul. These artists are very connected in every way. The selection of music on this CD is thought out with great care, one song moving effortlessly into the next while changing pace and theme to keep the listener’s avid attention to the end.
I was especially moved by Kim’s newest prize winning song: “Aghadoe” whose very beautiful and gentle story takes place in County Kerry in an old graveyard. “Aghadoe” is one of her best writings and that is really saying something since I find all her compositions magical. I just do not understand why this duo with so much inherent talent has not yet been recognized as one of America’s foremost interpreters of Scottish and Irish traditional music as well as leading creators and interpreters of modern compositions with deep Celtic ties.
Barbara Yule, Director
Spanish Peaks Celtic Festival
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