Taken from their debut album Gin and Strathspey, our Tune of the Day comes from the cleverly titled trio Lyre Lyre featuring ex-Breabach fiddler Patsy Reid, Marit Fält on Nordic mandola and cellist Alice Allen. For those of you thinking that part of that combo appeared on these pages very recently, then you are correct. Alice and Patsy also recently released Strathspey Queens, on which they celebrate the work of James Scott Skinner.
While that same playfulness is present on this album, and the suggested blend of Scottish, Scandinavian and classical influences works incredibly well, there are far broader and more adventurous influences. Hercules has an African air, while the title track Gin and Strathspey, our Tune of the Day, has a Middle Eastern quality that is both vibrant and beautiful, with Marit’s cittern taking on an oud-like quality. Threads of other global influences hint at the bottomless well of imagination this trio bring to their music.
Yes, these are three highly accomplished musicians, but that means nothing without imagination, and this album fizzles with experimentation, stretching the boundaries of their instruments to achieve an incredible sound. Throughout the album, the playing is stunning, from their interplay and rhythm to their astounding improvisations; it doesn’t get much better.
The sound quality is superb; Stuart Hamilton recorded it at Castlesound Studios, Pencaitland; it was mastered by Nick Cooke and mixed by Stereo Pigeon.
Order it via Bandcamp: https://lyrelyre.bandcamp.com/album/gin-and-strathspey
Website: https://www.lyresounds.com/