Thursday, September 30, 2010

Musical imagination: Matheu Watson


You can hear the sea and the wind and the light of the Western Isles through Matheu Watson’s music, whether he’s playing a tune he composed himself, one from the tradition, or one he has met on his musical travels.

Those travels have been fairly extensive, taking him from the Baltic states to Spain to Ireland, and seeing him travel in company of folk including innovative piper Fred Morrison, Scottish Latin fusion band Salsa Celtica, and the always surprising Treacherous Orchestra. It was to Berneray in the Western Isles that he went, though, to record the tracks for his self titled album..

It was an inspired choice, and one close to home for Watson, who attended school and college on Skye and Benbecula. His first instrument was the fiddle, and for this recording he offers especially intriguing and insightful work on fiddle and guitar, and plays tenor banjo, whistles, mandolin, bouzouki, and a few other things as well. He brought along gifted friends to sit in with him, too, and listening to the result you have to think they had a very fine time working out Watson’s vision on jigs, hornpipes, and slower tunes.

Ali Hutton, late of Back of the Moon and now of The Old Blind Dogs, played highland bagpipes, practice chanter, and an improvised on the spot Highland Bombard. Legendary artist Martin Simpson added slide, banjo, and ebow to several cuts. Sean Og Graham played button accordion, always creative percussionist Martin O’Neill anchored the beat with bodhran, and Kris Drever added his thoughtful style on guitar. These men have all held center stage on their own, deservedly so, and they well know when support and collaboration is called for, too. That’s what they offer here. A nod too, to engineer Will Lamb, who gives space and presence to the men and their music.

It is Watson’s imagination and style which center things here, though. You can hear those western seas crashing on the opening tune, Maggie the Rafter, which Watson wrote, and he pairs it well with a French Canadian tune called Homage, which he learnt from flute player Brian Finnegan.

Well constructed parings are a hallmark of the dozen sets on the album. Especially worth noting in addition to that opening pair are the Picnic set, which finds Fred Morrison’s The Incredible Journey set alongside two of Watson’s tunes, The Picnic Waltz and Picnic in the Sky. Another standout set is Drying Out, a reflective set which sees a tune from Castile, in Spain, paired with a piece composed by Irish American Liz Carroll. Glencalvie, another quiet piece, is also a real standout. It was written by Watson’s father Douglas, about a place in Sutherland which, he says, holds history.

All of the sets are equally well thought out and well played, making a project worth repeated listening. It is Matheu Watson’s debut recording, a fine and forward looking album of itself, and one which surely sets the stage for more good music to come.

you may also wish to see
Music Road: Scotland & Cape Breton: tradition and innovation
Music Road: Shannon Heaton: The Blue Dress
Music Road: Dual: Julie Fowlis & Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh


Are you an artist or musician who needs a professional biography for your website, or liner notes for your recording project? I can help.

Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

Bookmark and Share
posted by Kerry Dexter at

7 Comments:

Anonymous Vera Marie Badertscher said...

This is such a lovely review, it just got me to thinking....I hope that the artists you write about appreciate your thoughtful analyses. (And the captcha term I have to plug in is "jammin"--Appropriate, or what?)

6:03 PM  
Anonymous Sheryl said...

I agree with Vera. A lovely, thoughtful review. I can practically hear the music, just from reading your lovely description!

12:49 PM  
Anonymous Kristen said...

A Scottish Latin fusion band? Matheu sounds like a cool guy with such a great history. Thanks for the info.

1:46 PM  
Anonymous Melanie @ Frugal Kiwi said...

Sounds like a great new artist.

Congrats on offering your bio writing services more widely. Not only are you a skilled writer, but you've got a particular knack for that sort of writing.

1:55 PM  
Blogger Stephanie Stiavetti said...

I just noticed your little snippet here:

"Are you an artist or musician who needs a professional biography for your website, or liner notes for your recording project?"

I might actually have some folks to send your way. Will look into it!

2:45 PM  
Anonymous Christine @ Origami Mommy said...

What a lovely review! And I agree - you seem to have a knack for writing about people and their art. I'm sure your bio writing will be a great success.

5:50 PM  
Blogger Susan Johnston Taylor said...

Love the sensory details you used in your introduction. Definitely sounds interesting ...

8:08 PM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home