Author Archives: Guillaume Sparrow-Pepin

Rambles:
What’s a classically trained musician such as myself supposed to make of a band that describes its music-making process as a deconstruction of Irish tunes followed by a reassembling “with the aid of second-and-third-world blueprints?” When the little blurb that accompanied the CD went on to say that contra dancers’ hips were observed swaying in response to the music on this disk, I wasn’t sure whether to push the play button or run for the hills. Therefore, it’s with a mixture of relief, appreciation and amusement that I report that the Clayfoot Strutters do indeed know how to strut their Read More…

Dirty Linen:
With a mix of courtly and spirited dance numbers, the depth and skill of these two players is matched only by their obvious love and respect for the traditional music they play. Both world-renowned virtuosos on their respective instruments, accordionist Jeremiah McLane and fiddler Ruthie Dornfeld can play anythingofrom French Musette, Irish reels, Argentine tangos, to Cajun two stepsoit makes no difference. Each style and composition is approached with the same fire and passion, often with the vigor evident as a hummingbird flaps it’s wings (the inspiration for the title perhaps?). Unless youive access to a time machine, youire Read More…

Nightingale is a Vermont-based trio comprising fiddler Becky Tracy, guitarist/vocalist Keith Murphy and accordionist Jeremiah McLane, and Three is, aptly, their third recording together – not including various combinations of them in other bands. (McLane, for example, is a co-founder of The Clayfoot Strutters with Vermont folk hero Pete Sutherland.) Each is a consummate musician known throughout the Northeast on the contra-dance and traditional music circuit. The passion they share for sounds from Qu$E9bec, Newfoundland, France, Ireland and other northern climes is palpable in their playing. Accordingly, fans will surely find their expectations exceeded on Three, while a newcomer is Read More…

Fans of the Vermont-based trio Nightingale have had to wait a long time for Three, the band’s third CD. It has been eight years since the last recording (Sometimes When the Moon is High; the first CD was entitled The Coming Dawn). Three is worth the wait. Bottom line, here’s what you should know about this CD: it is a musical feast, full of thoughtfully crafted medleys, excellently played. Becky Tracy’s fiddling is strong and expressive, whether she’s singing out a melody, weaving in a harmony or providing a rhythmic riff. In Jeremiah McLane’s inspired accordion and piano playing, you Read More…

When I first saw this CD, I was not quite sure of what to expect. The album cover — a picture of bare trees on a hillside — gives no clue as to what lies ahead. A photo of the artist holding his accordion was the only indication of its contents.
But Freetown by Jeremiah McLane is far from what might be expected on an album of accordion music. The 14 tracks of mostly original tunes are works of inspiration and musical mastery and not the polkas and oompah-styled pieces usually associated with the instrument.
McLane was born in New Hampshire, traveled Read More…

By Aaron Cohen – Special to the Tribune
October 29, 2006
When accordionist Jeremiah McLane and clarinetist James Falzone talk about an early tour of their group, Le Bon Vent, both bring up a minor act of vandalism that turned out to be somewhat defining.
“We played at this historic hippie club in Cambridge, Mass.,” Falzone said. “Our sign said, ‘Playing the music of France and lands touched by French culture.’ And somebody crossed it out and wrote, `Veiled euphemism for imperialism.’ That’s actually right, but music itself goes back to colonialism from Day One.”
Le Bon Vent (meaning “The Good Wind”) has been Read More…