Enter the world of Finvarra - a dark, dreamy field of sound that at times feels like it has no beginning or end. A sound in search of a description - Oriental Celtic best fits the bill. In this first self-titled album, Finvarra demonstrate that they bring a special element and approach to their love of Celtic music. They transform familiar tunes into new and exotic experiences. They interweave traditional music with ’progressive rock’ songs from the 1970s including the Battle of Evermore (Led Zeppelin) and Kelpie (Jethro Tull). Their music is a journey and the listener gets carried along with them on its wave.
’We are a small band of travelling musicians trying to fit into the modern world who keep on travelling and making music whenever and wherever they can.’ Finvarra first began to play together in Leiden, The Netherlands, two years ago and have been playing together ever since.
Dieke was ’a sultry jazz singer in smoky opium dens but now she adds her honey-like voice and tribal percussion beats to the Finvarra sound’. Gwendolen’s voice provides a harmonious counterpoint to Dieke’s, perhaps best captured on the mesmerising Battle of Evermore. She also plays Indian harmonium and Irish bouzouki. Patrick plays guitar with vigour and passion, as well as bouzouki and mandolin. Corne brings impressive driving fiddle to the band and also plays percussion. The result is a distinctive sound that commands attention.http://brightyoungfolk.com/records/finvarra-finvarra
1. Kelpie/Cliffs of Moher
2. The Wind that Shakes the Barley
3. Ciueleandra/Jovano Jovanke
4. Dimna Juda
5. The Well Below the Valley
6. Only Our Rivers Run Free
7. Drink Down the Moon/Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine
8. Flatworld
9. A Poison Tree
10. The Battle of Evermore
11. The Blacksmith