My good friend Alan O’Leary was kind enough to send me a copy of this thoroughly
enjoyable CD from the Stateside based duo Hanz Araki & Kathryn Claire. Starting with
the slow air “Fairy Child” (more recognisable to most of us as a variant of The Auld
Triangle) things move up a gear with “The Primrose Lass” introducing additional ‘band’
members Joe Trump (percussion), Cal Scott (guitar), Chris Hayes (guitar & ukulele)
plus Elizabeth Bacon and Ara Gale on vocals. A soft-rock approach is taken without
a full blown drum kit and is all the more pleasing for it driving everything along
at a nice pace. Proving no slouches themselves instrumentally both Hanz (flute/whistle
& bodhran) and Kathryn (fiddle & guitar) provide down to earth vocal lead performances
that suit the arrangements very well. Now, the idea of concept albums…the clue is
in the title…may not be new but the very fact that this engaging duo have produced
four albums in a year is quite honestly astounding. With little or no overdubs and
a one or two take approach they have succeeded where others would have failed. With
a bright and breezy production of (some would say) standard fare such as “I Roved
Out” and “Pleasant And Delightful” this in no way detracts from what are first class
performances played with panache and very much a thought process other artists could
well learn from. Hanz and Kathryn have a work ethic that should be much admired and
by making sure it does not interfere with the enjoyment of their approach to predominantly
Celtic based material they can be justifiably proud of a job well done. For further
information contact www.copperplateconsultants.com or check out the duo’s website
at www.thecelticconspiracy.com
PETE FYFE
