Maggie McKaig & Luke Wilson
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Contemporary folk, with traditional and world touches
Status:
Most recent release, Edge of the World (2008)
See also:
Maggie McKaig's site
Comparisons:
Other traditional/neotraditional bands?
Covers/own material:
Own, traditional music, and covers
General comments:
Maggie McKaig and Luke Wilson and their band create folk music with a contemporary feel with also with strong traditional and world influences. They have called it Celtic fusion, but it seems more that it changes focus slightly with whatever each tune calls for. The musicianship and energy are both strong. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)
Recommended first album:
Storm Sessions is the only one we've heard
Recordings:
- Grand Promenade (2003)
- Small Wonder (As Celtic Wonder Band, 2004)
- Storm Sessions (2006)
- Edge of the World (2008)
Storm Sessions
Release info:
2006—self-released
Availability:
See Maggie McKaig's site
Ecto priority:
Recommended for fans of folk/world/Celtic fusion music
Group members:
Maggie McKaig—guitar, accordion, vocals
Luke Wilson—banjo, cittern, vocals
Guest artists:
Murray Campbell—violin, oboe
Michael Zisman—bass
Produced by:
Maggie McKaig & Luke Wilson
Comments:
An album of energetic folk with fine musicianship throughout. It begins with a song that feels very contemporary folk, then moves to a Spanish songs, then some fine reels, then a neo-traditional cover, then a contemporary folk song with Luke Wilson doing main vocals (Maggie McKaig does on all the other tracks that have vocals), then an eerie waltz with lyrics taken from Shakespeare (probably my favourite track here), the another lively traditional song about being a highwayman, then a slow traditional ballad, then some jigs, then a Christmas carol,then a song about "The Emperor's Clothes," then finally a ballad, "When the Sun Goes Down." So yes, this covers a lot of territory. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)
Thanks to Sophia Gurley for work on this entry.
