TRIO WALTERS - FAVRAU - PINC

Far from being unknowns in the music world, the group is made up of Sam Walters on fiddle, Brewen Favrau on uilleann and small pipes, low whistle (Insch, Les Irlandais de Bretagne) and Arthur Pinc on guitar (Galánta...). In reference to a Canadian folk group from Prince Edward Island, The East Pointers, which they particularly like, they have named their album Westpointers. As Brittany is at the extreme west of Europe, it's a nod to its geographical location.

These three virtuosos have searched through old Scottish manuscripts and selected ancient tunes that they have adapted to a more contemporary aesthetic. Here they offer us a set of 13 dexterously performed tracks, featuring tunes borrowed from both the Scottish and Irish repertoires, with a few forays into Canada - Fortune & Favour, The Mortgage Burn - or the Basque Country - Bok-Espok. There are also a number of tunes by Brendan Ring, the Irish harpist and piper who has been based in central Brittany for a number of years - Duncan's, A minor reel, The Eagles Fledge.

The album kicks off with an ‘Inter-Celtic’ set, brilliantly supported by Brewen's supple small-pipe playing, before being overtaken by Sam's vibrant bowing. And the songs flow energetically from one country to the next. Patrick Ourceau's The Old Station House, often played by Sylvain Barou, comes to mind. Or the famous The Grey Buck March. Then there's Hugo's big reel , composed by Seamus Egan (Solas), followed by the traditional Irish Killarney Boys Of Pleasure. The album closes with Da Iwan, a poignant composition by B. Favrau in tribute to a friend who died too soon.

Throughout these 13 tracks (and 40 tunes), you'll be captivated by Sam's ethereal fiddle, whose bow twirls from note to note, or Brewen's sensitive touch, while Arthur's guitar accompaniment supports his companions' playing with a relentless rhythm. All we can wish this talented trio is the chance to play in the countries from which they borrowed their tunes.

Vocation Records LEUR 039-5/1/1 - triowaltersfavraupinc@gmail.com