Rakish – Now, O Now
This work is crafted in a fairly traditional Celtic idiom with a pop projection applied. From the past, the influences may have been Pentangle, Curved Air, Steeleye Span, early Fairport Convention, Magna Carta & even a touch of the more Medieval Amazing Blondell.
But the secret ingredient is the near-angelic vocals of Maura Shawn Scanlin, The songs are not performed in an ancient mode. Rakish manages to understand how an old genre can be modernized with simple musical applications & they have the expertise as evidenced in “Lonely Hotel Room.”
There are 11 interesting Celtic/Americana pieces to Now, O Now (Drops Oct 11/Top Floor Records/Nine Athens/46:27) including a track which is a James Joyce poem set to music. Produced by Rakish & recorded at Spillway Sound, West Hurley, NY with “765” produced by Jamie Oshima (keys/drums/percussion bass).
With a deeper dive into time-honored Celtic conventions is the Conor Hearn sung title track “Now, O Now.” This is closer to the medieval/progressive English folk of Amazing Blondel with Eddie Baird, John Gladwin & Terry Wincott. While their early albums were more entrenched in the Medieval arrangement their later material was more Celtic commercial like these Rakish pieces as witnessed on Blondel’s “Mulgrave Street,” & “Inspiration.”
This is interesting music because it isn’t explored today as strongly as in the early 70s when many musicians were a little more, uh…daring & experimental. So, I have to congratulate Rakish for rolling the dice & coming up with a winning hand. While “765” has no vocals, it’s an instrumental, the heartiness, determination & enthusiasm in the playing is ideal.
The instrumentals are regarded as reels in this genre. Sprinkled throughout to bridge each vocal tune like an intermission. “Island In the Sea,” is as close to mainstream perfect with Maura’s exquisite vocals followed by the fiddle-rich “Time Check.”
While Conor’s voice isn’t as gripping & lovely as Maura’s he possesses a genuine traditional tone that doesn’t diminish the songs he sings. These songs will come off with more wood smoke than honey or Jameson’s whiskey.
Maura’s cognac-smooth voice is consistent throughout the balance of the showcase & is often as lovely as Annie Haslam’s or Jane Relf’s voice (both singers with Renaissance). Excellent work.
Highlights – “Lonely Hotel Room,” “Now, O Now,” “765,” “Island In the Sea,” “Time Check,” & “Lightly Come, or Lightly Go.”
Musicians – Maura Shawn Scanlin (vocals/fiddle/banjo/strings/pump organ), Conor Hearn (vocals/guitars) & Dylan McKinstry (drums/percussion/electric bass).
Cover photography by Sasha Pedro. CD @ Apple & https://www.rakishmusic.com/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Video Premiere: Rakish “Lightly Come or Lightly Go”
