The Irish traditional band FourWinds has returned with Allta, their second album, an exhilarating celebration of Irelandโs wild musical spirit. Recorded at Black Mountain Studios in Dundalk, Allta, meaning โwildโ or โuntamedโ in Irish, feels as free and alive as the landscapes that inspired.
The bandโs core lineupโTom Delany (uilleann pipes, whistles, vocals), Caroline Keane (concertina, whistles, vocals), and Robbie Walsh (bodhrรกn, vocals)โis complemented by Alan Murray, Laura Kerr, and Barry Kerr to create a record that thrives from the co-musicianship and the joys that was passed between each other.
The album opens with โThe Road to Cรบl Ros,โ a tune led by Caroline Keaneโs concertina, with reed instruments joining in to create a lively, Irish pub-like atmosphere, embodying the organic, communal joy of Irish music.
โMen of the Seaโ is a reflective song for the seas and the travelers penned by John Conolly and Bill Meek. Delanyโs pipes and Walshโs bodhrรกn create an oceanic ambiance, while warm, expressive vocals bring the narrative to life. The song feels like an old tale retold by the fire, reminding us of Irelandโs connection to the sea and the seafaring traditions that run deep in its culture.
โThe Great Big Roaming Ass,โ inspired by the tales of Robbie McMahon from Co. Clare, recounts the misadventures of a man and his rather scruffy donkey. Beginning with playful whistling, the songโs witty lyrics and minimal instrumentation let the story shine through.
The album closes with โThe Slide to Lisdoonvarna,โ a high-energy track that builds to an intense crescendo. Pipes and tapping drums set a rhythmic foundation, gradually layering sounds to create an impressive wall of sound.
With a major tour across Ireland, Europe, the U.S., and Canada in support of Allta, FourWinds is poised to captivate audiences around the world. Stay tuned for mch merriment ahead.
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Review by: Naomi Joan