Còig – Ashlar
Self Released – 15 March 2019
“Còig is one of Atlantic Canada’s most exciting Celtic traditional groups”, quoth the press handout – and while it’s not every time that I find myself heartily agreeing with a publicist’s assessment, I sure do in this instance. The Cape Breton-based band Còig comprises four “fast friends”, all of them accomplished performers: Chrissy Crowley (fiddle), Rachel Davis (fiddle, viola, vocals), Darren McMullen (guitars, bouzouki, mandolin, banjo, whistles, flute, cello, vocals), and Jason Roach (piano).
Ashlar turns out to be the quartet’s fourth album – an astonishing discovery considering the band had not hitherto crossed my radar (even tho’ their 2017 album Rove won several awards last year). Ashlar is an exceedingly sparkling affair packed with contrast and versatility, every item a different kind of musical experience. And yet the whole ten-track collection possesses a healthy unity of execution and a delightfully purposeful energy. It’s become a cliché for reviewers to use the word “eclectic”, but in the case of Còig it’s no exaggeration to say the musicians wear their influences unashamedly and naturally so that they become fully integrated rather than just “sewn on”. Hence the choice of album title, then – apparently, Ashlar is a masonry term for “a perfect fit”. Indeed, a good proportion of the tunes are composed by band members, and these dovetail brilliantly with the traditional selections. A further twist on that meaning comes with the dovetailing of Celtic regional styles, for instance, Cape Breton with Scottish.
The disc’s opening set Time & Tide is a real cracker, and although it begins deceptively calmly the appearance of the lively banjo-and-fiddle counterpoint is ingeniously managed against the piano chordings and the track develops into a rip-roaring reel.
In addition, the fiery fiddling on the tune-set From The Old Tapes halfway through the disc imparts a truly infectious spring-in-the-step that lifts us gaily from strathspeys into reels. On a majority of the album’s tracks, the piano part is a central driving force – and yet unlike with other similarly-complemented groups its presence doesn’t make the ensemble leaden or ponderous – take Uncle Leo’s Jigs set for instance, where its underpinning rhythm is subtly managed yet without losing sight of the basic pulse. The band excels at a slower tempo too, with the initially relaxed vibe of Mystery Groove, which pairs tunes penned by Rachel and Darren for family members, and an enterprisingly different ensemble take on American old-time tune Farewell Trion.
Turning to the disc’s four vocal tracks, the allocation of lead is shared equally between Rachel and Darren. Rachel takes on the song of unrequited love Deep Down In The River (by Ashley Condon & David Francey) and turns in a delicate, affecting account of the Gaelic standard O Luaidh, whereas Darren gives us the fun tale of The Capable Wife and a genial cover of Gordon Lightfoot’s Home From The Forest.
Only one point of minor criticism would be that I’m not convinced of the need to fade the energetic final set Odds & Ends shortly after Rachel’s spirited puirt a beul contribution, but in all other respects Ashlar is a solid and satisfying listen and a very good example of quality Cape Breton Celtic that you’ll want to revisit. An honourable mention too, for the sporadic contributions of “almost fifth band member” Dave Gunning (whom s/s aficionados will know as no mean songsmith in his own right). But then, the band name does translate as “five”, after all.
Oder the album via Bandcamp – https://coigmusic.bandcamp.com/album/ashlar
They are just coming to the end of their UK tour with two dates remaining – they play the Brunton Theatre in Edinburgh today (June 7th) and the Tolbooth Theatre in Stirling tomorrow (June 8th).