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PATSY REID - The Brightest Path

PATSY REID - The Brightest Path
Classy Trad Records CTREC002

Celebrated Scottish fiddler Patsy’s third solo release, following Bridging The Gap (2008), is an assured and sophisticated melange drawing on her classical, traditional and contemporary musical experiences.

Since leaving Breabach, her renowned touch, tone and technique on fiddle, viola and cello (the ‘one-woman string quartet’!) have provided many commissions, session and touring projects with, for example, Bella Hardy, Luke Daniels, Tim Edey, Donald Shaw, Kathryn Tickell (Northumbrian Voices), Duncan Chisholm, Joy Dunlop, Maeve Mackinnon, Treacherous Orchestra and VAMM.

Such diverse collaboration has clearly influenced this fine mosaic of co-arranged own instrumental compositions, traditional pieces and contemporary songs and tunes with her top-notch support ‘band’: Ewan MacPherson (guitars, banjo, mandolin), Mhairi Hall (piano), Fraser Fifield (saxophone, whistle), Ben Nicholls (double bass), Signy Jakobsdóttir (percussion) and Mattie Foulds (drums).

Her own pieces feature the intricate and delicate weave of her strings over complex layered instrumentation and modern hook grooves dynamically presented with a rich palette of bass tones, imaginative percussive detail and distinctly jazzy complement. The traditional tunes are equally deftly arranged with a keen dynamic sensibility allowing her exquisite fiddle voice ample opportunities for varied expression, both melodic and rhythmic. Contemporary songs by Ewan MacPherson, Daniel R. Messe and Patty Griffin are beguilingly conveyed with a voice reminiscent of Kellie While, but with a gentle Scottish lilt edge. She’s so versatile!

Her presentation of Donald Shaw’s A Precious Place is deeply stirring in its spacious and atmospheric qualities and aptly perhaps reflects recording at Crear in Argyll, overlooking Jura, on this excellent musical project supported by Creative Scotland.

www.patsyreid.com

Kevin T. Ward

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This album was reviewed in Issue 101 of The Living Tradition magazine.