Review: Folk North West

It's been two years since Uiscedwr's debut CD and a lot of water's passed under the bridge. Illness and a change in the trio's line-up have worked against them fully capitalising on that well respected first release. So, with illness banished and the experienced hands of Kevin Dempsey filling the gap in the line-up, 'Circle' is amongst us.

I'm pleased to tell you that they seem to have emerged even stronger after their trials and tribulations. Anna Esslemont leads the group with her skills in fiddle playing, singing and composition playing a central role to which Cormac Byrne adds fine percussion. With Kevin Dempsey bringing his guitar and illustrious track record in folk, this new record emerges with more maturity than the first record. To be frank, I found their debut release was frantic in parts - perhaps, a youthful desire to show off? Now, there's a more sophisticated feel and a better balance between some delightful songs and instrumental tour de forces.

The opening track, 'Everyday Cynic', sees Kevin get some writing credits alongside Anna. It's a wonderful song with some good harmonising and additional fiddle from Joe Broughton providing immediate evidence of that increased maturity. There's no question either that Kevin's guitar gives them more options that appear to the fore in beautiful instrumentals such as 'Ceol Aine'. He can add vocals, too, as we find on his co-composition 'The Music Bringer'. But let's not forget Cormac Byrne whose bodhran based percussion drives this along at a pace, whether fast or gentle. So, you see the supporting cast steps up to the mark for the multi-talented Anna. All in all, it seems that all's well that ends better.

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