From Amazon.com
Amazing Bluegrass/Folk Band
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: The Duhks have a very unique blend of music. The would probably fall into the folk/bluegrass category. The rythms are amazing but my favorite part about the group is there multi-part harmonies. This has quickly become one of my favorite albums and I look forward to seeing them at some festivals this summer. If you like bluegrass music this is a must have!
A Broadened Expression of Great Style
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: This band has almost perfectly fused the styles of bluegrass with folk adding touches of traditional spirituals. I've had the fortune of seeing them twice in small venues in Nashville, and they are capable of producing this wonderful sound almost effortlessly. This is evidence of how truly super-talented this group is.
This album seems a less-inhibited expansion on the style we were exposed to on the previous album (produced by Alison Krauss). So much heart-felt soul seems to be poured into each song. I highly recommend this and either of their two other works.
Folk music from the heart
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: Don't expect any Nashville twangy voices, or a fire-burning Choctaw Breakdown. But if you enjoy folk music of any kind, these recordings will touch you deeply. If you've never listened to the Duhks, this album is one to try -- not just one song, but at least 4 or 5 to understand the wide range of style they have to offer. You'll find upbeat, downbeat, gospel, "northern" bluegrass, ballads, and more.
Better and Better All The Time
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: The Duhks were already wonderful, but they just keep getting better with each new release. This time they take a turn toward more pop, more accessible music and rely more heavily on Jessee Havey's wonderful husky voice. In the process though, they give up nothing Duhk-ish; none of their great technical skills; none of their innovative arrangements. This is probably my top pick for 2006. Buy it if you know what's good for your ears.
A sensory journey with joy, sorrow, inspiration, & even some humor
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: Playing Time - 39:38 -- The Duhks' progressive "neo-folk" or "cerebral folk" music is best described as highly-arranged folk and Americana that draws inspiration from various genres such as old time string band, Celtic, soul, gospel, folk, and zydeco. The band was nominated for the 2005 Emerging Artist of the Year Award by the Americana Music Association. "Migrations" has about 2/3 of the music that their self-titled 2005 album did, but you'll find that the 11 tracks and 16-page CD jacket don't leave us feeling short-changed. In fact, the project took home the 2006 Juno Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year in the Group category.
Hailing from Winnipeg, the quintet likes to invite a few guest artists into their mix; in this case, Tim O'Brien (5 tracks), Luke Bulla (1 track), and Katie Herzig (1 track). "Migrations" was produced by Gary Paczosa and Tim O'Brien who suggested songs, contributed additional lyrics, and even played or sang along in Tim's case. In keeping with their successful personalized sound, we hear well-crafted, creative songs with soul-stirring vocals and striking guitar, banjo, bass, fiddle and percussion. Low whistle and Uilleann pipes also appear in their kettle of sound. Three of the five Duhks provide vocals, both lead and harmonies. Whether covering Tracy Chapman's "Mountains O'Things" or serving up a Zydeco-flavored "Down to the River," they manage to find some novel material to infuse with their stamp. Tracy's song, of course, encourages us to "renounce all those material things" to save our souls. An instrumental medley of two originals with a Cape Breton tune illustrates how The Duhks blend tradition with their own individuality. Repertoire is also drawn from African-American spirituals (Turtle Dove, Moses Don't Get Lost) and Celtic-flared instrumentals (Three Fishers, The Fox And The Bee).
The band's affinity for reflective ballads with poignant lyrics capitalize on Havey's plaintive vocalizing (Heaven's My Home, Who Will Take My Place, Out of the Rain) to round out the set. "Heaven's My Home" provides a subtle vision for cautious optimism in a life full of trials, travails and adversity. "Who Will Take My Place?" was written by Dan Frechette about the Irish patriot Michael Collins but has more universal application for anyone fighting oppression. Penned by Jessee Havey, "Out of the Rain" provides sunny direction "far from the pain of being tied to your back door."
The Duhks' are Scott Senior (percussion), Jessee Havey (vocals), Leonard Podolak (banjo, fiddle), Tania Elizabeth (fiddle, mandolin), and Jordan McConnell (guitar, whistle, pipes). Creative artistry is built around an ability to free one's own muse. The Duhks' approach allows for personal expression without belittling the very traditions that they're stretching. This successful and impressive effort was done right and with abundant rewards. Before reinventing tradition, The Duhks have obviously lived and breathed the tradition itself by knowing, respecting, and appreciating the natural graces and flowing rhythms of Celtic and folk music. It's an amazing feat for these twenty-somethings. With this strong foundation, The Duhks then incorporate their own life experience to arrange and create a signature sound. The musicians' sensory journey takes us along with joy, sorrow, inspiration, and even occasional humor.
Whether serving up a beautiful, spiritual ballad or a rousing medley of reels, they manage to make each a part of greater Duhkville. With impressionistic and memorable material, this album continues presentation of The Duhks' earthy . Their music conveys an understanding of the bond between land and soul. Their compelling performance is one wrought with the emotional impact and virtuosity of soulful vocals, slapped skins, wailing fiddle, flowing guitar, and bouyant banjo. With a band vision to redefine both folk and pop music, The Duhks are well on their way to doing it with their acoustic tools of the trade. Thnks for not not relying on any electric instruments, synthesizers or drum machines. (Joe Ross, Roseburg, OR.)
Purchases
1 Ol' Cook Pot - The Duhks, Byrne, Shawn
Purchases made through Amazon.com help support FolkAlley.com.
