http://iainmorrison.bandcamp.com
Scottish musician, songwriter and recording artist Iain Morrison has six albums to his name, and though I’ve not heard his others Eas alone stands proud. Spare, innovative, at times mystical (and a little dark) the listener is invariably drawn ever closer to the music. The poetic sound of fiddle, cello, pipes, piano, guitar and that of human voice soon gain a foothold in the subconscious of the listener; as he puts to good use alongside his own the playing, the expertise of Pete Harvey, Gordon MacLean, Lori Watson, Chris stout, Joe Smillie and Allan MacDonald.
Isle Of Lewis (Outer Hebrides) born Morrison, the son of piper Iain M. Morrison (Snr) uses a term Gaelic for ‘cascading waterfall’ Eas has the younger Morrison take on engaging journey; one that sees him venture through both traditional and contemporary as the likes of title-track “Eas” provides a yearning, almost pleading ambience to go with wonderful heart-tugging ode “A Flame Of Wrath For Patrick Caogach” and gentle, coercing “The Little Free” (featuring harmony vocals, piano etc).
Of a traditional note “The Crackle”, and “Too Long In This Condition” which has a recorded voice of Donald MacLeod (and mournful sound of the pipes) who taught Morrison Snr Ceol Mor ; a form of playing of the pipes (Piobaireached), and like Morrison comes from Isle Of Lewis aided by a stupendous “To The Sea”. Plied with Uilleann pipes, low whistle, banjo, guitar and raucus harmony vocals in has many influences run through it, some could well be traces to the other side of the water. Great tempered energy.
Innovation, precise and liberating Morrison’s music eliminates boundaries as he utilises the best of the old with smart progressive ideas of the new arguably better than anyone around.
Maurice Hope