Subtitled 'The Belfast Sessions', this album is a half hour love letter to Ireland's rich musical traditions. Its origins lie in Blake's visit to the Emerald Isle in 2002 when he was seduced by a combination of rousing music, black beer, strong whisky, rolled cigarettes, and a beautiful girl.
He returned for more of the same and this eventually led to an introduction to virtuoso uilleann piper John McSherry. McSherry's mastery of this instrument means that he in great demand and he is no stranger to collaborations like this. Other artists he has played with include Clannad, Donal Lunny, Nanci Griffiths, Sinead O'Connor and The Corrs. To add to the family hospitality, McSherry's sister Tina also provides backing vocals on several tracks.
Blake is a singer songwriter in the troubadour tradition from Bellingham, Washington who picks up songs and ideas while embarked on a seemingly never-ending tour. He is something of a cottage industry, booking gigs and releasing music through his own label.
His rasping baritone is vaguely reminiscent of Son Volt's Jay Barrar and his melancholy songs do not really make for a natural fit with musicians from a Celtic tradition. Fine though McSherry's playing is, his contributions have the feel of being tagged on rather than blending in with the material.
The combination works best on the two breezily optimistic songs I've Been Waiting and Storms of November which open the album.
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The mood is more subdued thereafter for a couple of 'blame it on the weather' songs with the oppressive fog and heavy snow mirroring the singer's gloomy and reflective state of mind.
The meteorological theme continues with the refrain "I love it when it rains" in a song with the appropriately travelogue title: 'Bergen, Belfast, Aberdeen'.
The final track is an unaccompanied version of the Scottish folk song Lord Saltoun and Auchanachie (Anachie Gordon) This Romeo and Juliet like story (Child Ballad 239) has been recorded by many artists, notably by Nic Jones in 1977 and more recently by The Unthanks but Blake's brooding take on the song is far too heavy and he fails to bring out the pathos of the star-crossed lovers.
McSherry is steeped in Irish traditional music, while Blake is an enthusiastic tourist. The American's intentions are honourable but this album only emphasises the geographical and musical gaps between the Pacific Northwest and Northern Ireland.
Robert Sarazin Blake's Website
John McSherry's Website
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