Luke Plumb & James Mackintosh - A Splendid Notion

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The much anticipated solo CD featuring Australian mandolinist Luke Plumb (Shooglenifty, The Funky String Band), is now on release. This is a collection of traditional celtic music played with brilliance, subtlety, innovation and total respect for the tradition. A full review is below. "Simply mandolin with a bit of percussion. Delightful." - MusicScotland.com

Solo mandolin albums - a rarity - in fact I can't recall one. So this is a bold step from Edinburgh-based Australian musician Luke Plumb. Venturing into the recording studio armed only with his trusty Gilchrist F5, and accompanied only by fellow Shooglenifty musician, percussionist James Mackintosh, Luke treats us to a deceptively simple yet deeply complex interpretation of traditional celtic music. This format shines a spotlight on the instrumental style he's developed over the last ten years or so, much of that time being spent playing with Shooglenifty, and also with the Funky String Band, and in a duo with ex Llan de Cubel fiddler, Simon Bradley. What we hear on this CD is a controlled piece of mastery of both the instrument and the genre of music he's chosen. Although we have technical mastery, delightful ornamentation, and innovative melodic improvisation, none of this is allowed to obstruct the spirit of the tunes, predominantly dance music and all from celtic tradition. The tunes chosen are an interesting blend of well-loved and well-known pieces, and some of recent composition. Although the rest of the band that both these players belong to is absent, this is nonetheless great dance music with lift and drive. In a way, it doesn't seem to matter that the rest of the band isn't there - these two instrumental voices provide all we need. The percussion accompaniment from James Mackintosh - using a very limited set of kit, including djembe and snare and very occasional touches of cymbal and hi-hat, complements the music to perfection. Never over the top or dominant, there is strong and detailed rhythmic conversation happening on the majority of these cuts. Of course what we are hearing is a developed musical understanding springing from six years or so playing together. One track, by the seventeenth century harpist Turlough O'Carolan, is left in the hands of mandolin only. There's a great deal of depth on this album - this music is alive, every time the tune is repeated, it's different, with fresh melodic and harmonic aspects being opened up constantly. Even for the non technical listener, the joy of the playing and respect for a strong tradition will shine through. Players of mandolin and similar instruments will have an additional level of enjoyment and appreciation of the achievement on this CD. Anyone wanting to develop their mandolin style could hardly do better than to buy the CD, listen intensively, and take note of the wide variety of techniques used here to lend originality and life to the music. Malcolm Fielding, 2009.

My twin brother Chris and I were inspired to pick up the mandolin as our weapon of choice by the sadly departed and much missed Louis McManus of the Bushwackers Band and in an indirect way so was Mr Plumb who credits him in his sleeve notes. Now this is how I like to hear the mandolin (ie: without chord backing from guitar or bouzouki) clutter free with the exception of tasteful percussive input from James Mackintosh and an astonishing amount of digital dexterity from the protagonist. You see, in the right hands the mandolin should be able to provide its own driving rhythm a nd by gentle use of dynamics alone as demonstrated magnificently on the track “The Gallowglass/Trip To Sligo/Cook In The Kitchen” you don’t need to be a ‘speed merchant’ which Luke proves time and again. It’s refreshing to see liberal use of some real traditional tunes including “Battle Of The Somme”, “Drunken Landlady” and “The Snuff Wife” and with the occasional interloping of an Ed Reavey and Sean Ryan tune this is as near perfect a recording as I could wish for. More info from www.lukeplumb.com review by Pete Fyfe, 2009 for www.folking.com

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