Review: FATEA (Unofficial Cambridge Folk Festival Website)

It is important that every generation of folk artists and indeed every folk band takes the music forward or it will simply become a museum piece that is as relevant as the Spinning Jenny. Fortunately Uiscedwr are a band more than capable of taking hold of the torch and running the next stage of the relay.

Uiscedwr, the name means water first in Irish and then Welsh, have used their turn with the torch to light a real fire. "Circle" is their second album and whilst the three piece have kept very much to traditional instrumentation they have also given it one heck of a contemporary edge. You can feel the history and references that have formed the foundation of the music, but it's positively alive with contemporary references.

Whether they are in the instrumental parts of their songs, or backing Anna's vocals, Uiscedwr layer their music beautifully. There is always something happening. Be it the lyrics, or even just the sound of the voice, the instruments, the solos, the arrangements, it matters not. The music ensures that you are going to listen to it. Even when you're trying to do something else whilst it's playing, you will find that you pause a lot just to listen.

Uiscedwr have had some tough times since their debut album "Everywhere" Anna suffered a serious illness that prevented both gigging and recording for a while. Fortunately she and the band have come out of the other side. With that in mind it would have been all to easy to have come up with an album that wallowed in self pity. Far from it, "Circle" is an album that thrives on positive energy.

A large chunk of the reason for that is the way the band have built a number of songs around Cormac Byrne's bodhran playing. It provides an under current to the songs and tunes that conventional kits just can't. I think it's to do with the very personal relationship between player and the skin of the drum. Whatever it is it gives the music that certain edge.
Uiscedwr are back gigging as well and the live shows are pretty much a must if they play near you. "Circle" sees the band moving forward in both the way the sound and the way they write. They are not just going in the right direction, they are turning that direction into a very popular tourist route. Relax and enjoy Uiscedwr and then get up and dance your socks off. Cormac, Anna & Kevin are Uiscedwr, "Circle" a great record.

top of page