Monday, September 3, 2018

MUSIC REVIEW OF THE DAY: MILLER MACDONALD CORMIER - SOUTH HAVEN

Ben Miller and Anita MacDonald have been pushing the boundaries of their styles, his Scottish Highlands, and hers Cape Breton, in their ongoing partnership. Now they take it one big step further, inviting in Acadian guitar player and foot-percussionist Zakk Cormier from P.E.I. Largely instrumental (with one song in Gaelic), these are medleys that allow Miller and MacDonald to explore their usual interplay with some extra driving rhythm courtesy of Cormier.

MacDonald's fiddle and Miller's pipes sound so connected at times, it's as if there's only one person playing, or better yet, a brand-new instrument has been created. Their versions of this traditional material is full of spark, the tempos largely quick, and the interplay exciting. Cormier's addition is mostly subtle (until the feet get going), but very effective, adding an almost bluesy harmony that both supports and thickens. Traditional sounds but most definitely a modern Maritime mix.

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