Mike Vass
Notes from the Boat
Unroofed
Rob Adams
The ever-resourceful composer, multi-instrumentalist and seaman Mike Vass thrives on an unconventional approach to recording and this latest venture finds him in the company of musicians including accordionist Mairearad Green, fiddler-guitarist Anna Massie and harpist Corrina Hewat and various sounds volunteered by his boat.
Despite everyone dropping in at different times, and in different weather conditions, there’s a warm, rich and woody consistency to these tracks, although Vass’s fellow Highlander Duncan Chisholm creates a highlight in Speeches through his fabulously characterful, indeed, majestic fiddle tone and measured playing.
Fiddler Gillian Frame’s fine contribution includes spelling out the opening Last Day’s title in the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet, a sound that establishes the waterborne nature of the recording. Other, unscripted sounds include Vass’s then nine-month-old niece’s recording debut in a vocal loop while her mum condenses her keyboard talent onto melodica.
Imar whistle player, Tomas Callister’s designated reel, Inver, has a hefty, emphatic, maritime thud behind its swinging momentum and the album closes with a superb, upbeat and powerful jig featuring Innes Watson on fiddle and guitar. There’s no flag-waving involved, other than perhaps the nautical variety, just high quality, honest musicianship and great tunes.
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