PETER FERGUS MCCLELLAND - The Turn Of The Tide
Hobgoblin Records HOBCD1017
The joy of the world of folk is that there is a place for every style and everybody. Musically, The Turn Of The Tide is pleasing enough; co-founder of Hobgoblin Music, Peter Fergus McClelland, has put together a fine selection of songs from a variety of sources. Essentially the central theme is to explore material which is connected by water. The material is subdivided into four sections - Banishment, Fishing, Rivers and Coast. As well as being lead singer on the CD, Peter plays a variety of instruments, including bouzouki and mandolin. However, featuring on most tracks is his mainstay, a Blueridge BR-163 guitar.
Contributing to the overall production and balance enormously, the accompanying musicians on the CD are drawn from family and friends. Enhanced by the plaintive playing of Sarah Mooney on whistle, Make And Break Harbor by Stan Rogers revisits the familiar theme of the decline of the fishing industry, in this case Canada’s Eastern seaboard. I particularly enjoyed the opening track, a soulful performance of The Island Of St Helena. However, considering the diverse material on offer, Just As The Tide Was Flowing is the most pleasing. Peter has also included three of his own songs - The Willow Tree, The Appalachian Way and Top Alex - which slope up on you in the collection like some wily old fox.
There is a wide range of styles explored on the CD ranging from traditional to elements of country. If you are looking for an unchallenging, honest performance, about expulsion, trawling, waterways and the coast, this is undoubtedly the album for you.
www.petemcclelland.com
John Oke Bartlett
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