I am sure you are questioning the name as I did and I'll answer that question now, the name of the band is taken from the Irish language "Na Gormacha" which essentially translates as "The Blues". The name of the album "Libation" can mean "to pour out as an offering", perhaps this is an offering poured from the hearts and minds of the artists to the past. An offering to the Traditional/Blues/Irish/Folk legends and inspirations. Maybe even, for the spiritualist folk, an offering to the Gods of said genres. An emotional and creative "thank you" perhaps. Question answered? Read more about this work of art... In fact, buy the album and listen while you read!
From the moment track one, "Pastures Of Plenty" began, my ears were filled with early 20th century antiquity, re-emerging from the dusty back room, polished up, slightly modernised and put back in the display window for all to see it's beauty. A true hidden gem with ideas plucked from the historical archives of early folk and blues and reanimated with a surprising yet delightful Celtic touch added. The bodhrán, (an Irish tunable frame drum) comes in at track two driving "Out On The Western Plains" fiercely forward while the slide guitar falls beautifully and purposely lackadaisically behind. Then come the warm, emotional and deep female vocals... I'm reminded of many female vocalists but for me Allison Krauss, Emmylou Harris and Gillian Welch merged into one comes to mind. Listen to their performance of "Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby" and you will see what I mean. Gormahca's performance of "Out On The Western Plains" would do both Lead Belly and Rory Gallagher proud!
Gormacha play more original compositions and their own distinctive
arrangements of early folk and blues classics on this album.
I've only described tracks one and two in some detail, please be the judge of the whole album yourselves. You won't be disappointed as there are ten more tracks of beautiful arrangement and composition with David Preston of the acoustic folk rocker band "Scorpion Jack" making a vocal appearance on track twelve "Hoodoo Snake Doctor Blues".
There was a range and a complexity to much of the early blues music. At
its best it seemed almost to issue forth from musicians; more something
they were, rather than something they did. Gormacha most definitely ARE Na Gormacha!
With songs that should be in the O' Brother Where Art Thou Soundtrack and many more, this is definitely an album to add to the collection people... In fact an album you'd be mad not to have in your collection, especially for it's modest £7.99 price on iTunes.
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