DZ ÉIRE

This bodes well for a trip to the Emerald Isle. Well, that's not quite the case, for while Ireland is indeed the focus of this pleasant album, Chom da vont, the other Celtic countries are not forgotten. The band's musical journey takes us from Cornwall to the Isle of Man, from Scotland to Wales, from Galicia to Brittany and Ireland. And then, most surprisingly, a mazurka from Corrèze. No doubt because their journey will take them to Santiago de Compostela, following in the footsteps of the thousands of pilgrims who walk the paths to the city in the far west of Galicia.

The band is made up of four musicians: Annaïg Guillamet on violin, Jakez Guillamet on diatonic accordion, concertina and flute, Fañch Hascoët on harp and Jean-Pierre Bénard on hurdy-gurdy.
Over the course of the 14 tracks on their album Chom da vont, a typically Douarnenez expression meaning “Let it be”, we recognize a few tunes such as the Breton gwerz Eliz Iza, so brilliantly interpreted in its time by the Goadec sisters or Yann-Fañch Kemener.

From Ireland, Ar Éirinn song from 1733 or Eleanor Plunkett, by Turlough O'Carolan, famous blind harpist of the 18th century. This tune has been performed many times throughout the vast Celtic lands. But there's also Alborada de Veiga, popularized by the Chieftains or the Galician Carlos Núñez, as well as A Bruxa, another Galician tune composed by one of the members of the band Milladoiro, and more original, played by the Irish band Lá Lugh in the 90s.
From Wales comes Morfa'r Frenhines, a beautiful tune also known as The Queen's Shore. Finally, The Arran Boat, from Scotland.
A fifty-minute voyage across the Celtic Sea, presented upside down on the cover to highlight the inland sea that links the various Celtic countries.
The only downside to this beautiful album is that, while the four performers are undoubtedly talented, the pace is a little slow. We'd have liked a little more peachiness. Nonetheless, don't let this beautiful opus put you off.

Autoproduit CD 01/1 - https://bandcamp.com/album/chom-da-vont