Tempest
Philippe Cousin
Comprising three musicians and a singer from Ulster, all of whom have been involved in music for many years, the group Tempest was formed in 2023 and is already considered an excellent representative of traditional Irish music and songs. Today they are releasing their first eponymous album.
Alongside Brendan Mulholland, a flute player from County Antrim whose albums I have already presented to you, we find Bláithin Mhic Cana from County Armagh, who sings songs in Irish and English. She comes from a family of traditional singers and teaches vocal technique.
Then there are two other Belfast-based musicians, Aaron O'Hagan on uilleann pipes, flute and whistles, and Luke Ward on bouzouki and vocals. Both are very active on the music scene in Northern Ireland's largest city.
Their music is powerful, dynamic and perfectly played, with each musician demonstrating boundless dexterity.
The twelve tracks on their album include a few standards: The Killarney Boys of Pleasure, which opens the album and was popularised 25 years ago by the band Lúnasa, and The Spike Island Lasses, on which the symbiosis of the flute and uilleann pipes is particularly enjoyable. There is also Coleman's Cross and Hector the Hero, composed by legendary fiddler James Scott Skinner. A little further on, there is Reconciliation, on which Bláithin alternates verses in Irish and English, a technique known as macaronic in Ireland. Then there is The Chickens Gone to Scotland. And finally, Poirt Oirialla, three songs from the Louth region, performed by the group Lá Lugh on their album Brighid's Kiss.
A breathtaking, absolutely superb album, worthy of the legendary bands Planxty and Bothy Band.
Autoproduit TC 001 - www.tempestceol.com