The Unwanted are three Sligo based musicians who have come together to explore songs that have links to the combined traditions of Ireland and America. There are many songs and tunes that have their roots in both camps, traditionally melodies are borrowed, lyrics slightly altered and new characters added to songs. This album celebrates these connections and shows the impact the endless tide of migration has on traditional music.
The three musicians Cathy Jordan (Dervish), Rick Epping and Seamie O’Dowd (ex Dervish) provide a rich range of instrumentation that includes bouzouki, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, guitar, banjo and many more; the result is an album that has as much variety in both style and instrumentation as you could wish for, but it still manages to feel like a cohesive collection.
The 13 songs and tunes on the album demonstrate their understanding of the music, both from a historical and contemporary perspective, and the presentation of the arrangements is as subtle as the choice of material – it’s obvious they are all deeply rooted in the music.
Everything is presented beautifully with comments on each song in the liner notes, and the familiarity with the material, be it from Appalachia or Armagh, makes this an album that makes an instant impression on the listener.
Music from the Atlantic Fringe is a great selection of material from both the Old World and the New, and the quality of the interpretations and skill of the trio make this an album that deserves to be heard.
Track listing
1 Out on the Western Plains
2 Sweet Becky At The Loom
3 The Morning Blues
4 The Duke Of Leinster Set
5 It's Cool To Be Green
6 The Diamantina Drover
7 Angelina Baker
8 Shove The Pig's Foot Set
9 Turn The Corner
10 Sadly Grows The Rose
11 No Expectations
12 An Phis Fliuch
13 Eileen A Ruin
