“Sirius” (just released on the Compass label, but originally released in 2006 by Vertical Records) takes some serious liberties with traditional music.
That’s usually OK by me. In this case, I’m mostly OK with Scots fiddler Aidan O’Rourke’s audacious little CD.
By turns jazzy, funky—and yes, traditional—“Sirius” carves out some new territory. O’Rourke swings, he syncopates, and he twists times signatures into exquisite little knots. He also brings together instruments that, some might protest, simply never should be brought together. (To my way of thinking, being told that something never should be done often is the best reason to do that something.) O’Rourke is accompanied by horns, piano, double bass, drums, guitar—and melodeon, flutes and whistles. At times, I felt like I might be hearing Average White Band. Or Lunasa. Sometimes in the same tune.
Of the 10 tunes on “Sirius,” “Lochaber Drive” and “Peoples Park Part 2” are particular favorites. “Lochaber” features an improbable pairing—melodeon, flute and O’Rourke’s fiddle with hot licks from the aforementioned AWB-style horn section. “People’s Park Part 2” starts out all traditional and then quickly transitions into Solas-style syncopation—hey, kids, let’s play “Find the Time Signature!”—and from there O’Rourke starts to coax some slick Eileen Ivers-style squeaks, squeals, whines and moans from that fiddle of his.
And, as I say, I mostly like this intriguing recording. There were moments when I thought we were crossing over into “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should” territory. But whatever faults I might find are pretty minor. And, on balance…it’s a pretty good balance.
Not everyone’s cup of tea, to be sure, but well worth a listen.
