http://www.rooksmererecords.com
Banjo player, singer-songwriter Stafford’s Dan Walsh is a superbly talented act, innovative and eclectic. Never afraid to prise the envelope, Walsh’s music has a fresh feel, enhanced by the fact Incidents & Accidents, his third solo album to add to those in Proud & Walsh has a stripped back feel. His banjo aided by Patsy Reid (fiddle), Nic Zuppardi (mandolin), Mark Hutchinson (percussion, vocals) and Canadian singer-songwriter Meaghan Blanchard weave a simple, but intricate set of songs (seven) and instrumentals (four) together.
Rich in beauty, and calm Walsh veers gracefully from music of the Appalachians to rambling tales that take in a more worldly feel, and with a cover of Darrell and Anthony Scott’s “With A Memory Like Mine” plus a co-write with Blanchard and a tune based on an old traditional Finnish piece to go with those influenced after trips to Ireland, New Zealand, him relocating back to Stafford after seven years in Newcastle the dust hasn’t time to settle. Something Walsh is extremely good at, keeping things moving, and not on a straight road but one bursting with adventure. Others of note include a Danny Barnes-esque “Time To Stay”, and with arguably the best piece of playing on the record bustling instrumental “Lost Rambler”, plus with a more relaxed feel, reflective ballad “The Song Always Stays” and chugging ode “Only Way To Go”.
Maurice Hope