FolkWords Reviews

‘East’ from Iona Fyfe Band – leaves you wanting more

(July 01, 2016)

Drawing deeply from the well of folksong that comes from the east of Scotland, ‘East’ the debut EP by Iona Fyfe Band rises like the morning lark. Treating the listener to six slices of East and North East tradition with an inspired contemporary edge, ‘East’ hooks immediately, remains with you a long time and leaves you wanting more.

From the instantly recognised bothy ballad, ‘Sleepytoon’, through the spritely Fyfe original ‘Pride of Aberdeen’ to the many versioned and well-known ballad ‘Queen Amang the Heather’, Iona’s crystal clear and infinitely expressive voice soars through the songs. From unaccompanied voice to the band in full-flow, ‘East’ stands as a testament to the strength, endurance and adaptability of the tradition. It also offers ample evidence that traditions of music, dialect and heritage remain definitely in good hands, listen to Iona sing the melancholy ‘Cairn o’ Mount’ or absorb the band delivering another many-versioned song ‘Earl Richard’.

Creating the magic on ‘East’ are Iona Fyfe (vocals, piano, shruti box) Charlie Grey (fiddle, tenor guitar) Chris Ferrie (guitar, bodhran) Callum Cronin (double bass) and Ross Miller (border pipes)