Are we ready for the holiday season, folks? Because from here on out it’s the time you’ll have sounds to hear and choose from, and you might just find that the gift of music is one of the best presents to give out over the next few weeks!
A couple of crowdpleasers in the media player this week that might inspire you as you mull over your naughty and nice lists. First up is “Now, O Now” by Rakish. Made up of Maura Shawn Scanlin (vocals, banjo, fiddle) and Conor Hearn (guitar, vocals), Rakish’s music here is nuanced and reflective not unlike that on “Counting Down the Hours,” their debut, which I wrote about positively back in 2021.
Rakish.
Although young, Scanlin and Hearn are accomplished players. Scanlin, for example, has studied with a number of renowned chamber musicians and holds a master’s degree in Violin Performance from the Yale School of Music. In addition, she’s a two-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion and a winner of the Glenfiddich Fiddle Competition.
In addition to attracting favor in the competitive session scenes of Maryland, Washington DC, and Boston, Hearn’s performed with folks like Seamus Egan and Maeve Gilchrist, been a part of performances like Brian O'Donovan’s “Celtic Sojourn” and has taught at a number of festivals, including the Swannanoa Gathering and Alasdair Fraser’s Sierra Fiddle Camp.
“Now, O Now” is an album that reflects a number musical influences and gives this album an original sensibility. Woven in here are subtle gestures that remind one of Scottish and Irish traditional musics, as well as the sounds of folk Americana more broadly. Although the instrumental tracks are lovely and varied, I find the most engaging material to be the album’s original songs, which stand out.
The album starts with “Lonely Hotel Room,” a track that does well in showcasing Rakish’s songwriting talents. Scanlin’s poignant lyrics combined with electric guitar, five string banjo, and some light drumming gives this tune an accessibility that foretells well the album’s balance. Scanlin is again at the fore in “Lightly as the Rain Came Down,” and again the results are inviting and accessible. Banjo, guitar, and fiddle provide a nice cradle for lyrics that feel cathartic in their execution.
Hearn takes the lead on two tracks that help define the album, “Now, O Now” and “Lightly Come or Lightly Go.” Both tracks take their lyrics from James Joyce’s “Chamber Music,” a collection of love poems first published in 1907 and Rakish has done a lovely job making them their own. “Now, O Now” is a reflective, moody but upbeat track with a sophisticated arrangement that frames well Joyce’s verse. “Lightly,” on the other hand, has a bit more of an old time American approach that seems to transform the feel of Joyce’s poetry in a thoughtful way.
Several instrumental tracks stand out, including “Time Check” and “The Soldier, the King, and the Peasant,” both of which are superbly arranged and executed giving the listener lots to enjoy. In contrast is “765,” produced by Jamie Oshima. (Oshima also adds keyboards, drums, and bass to this one.) Here, Oshima has taken Scanlin and Hearne’s approach and completely modernized it, with lively drumming and signal processing, giving it its own kind of life.
Honeyed arrangements with a contemplative slant give “Now, O Now” it’s unique spirit. Folks with an ear for modern singer/songwriting and top class instrumental playing will be drawn to what Rakish have given us here. Lovely stuff! To learn more and to purchase, visit https://www.rakishmusic.com/
Next up is “Waiting for Inspiration,” the new release from crowd favorites Socks in the Frying Pan. Comprising Aodan Coyne (vocals, guitar), Shane Hayes (accordion), and Fiachra Hayes (fiddle), Socks are known for their intense and high energy music – it’s no wonder they’re favorites on the festival circuit! A mixture of high energy musicianship and ruminative songwriting, “Waiting for Inspiration” – the group’s fifth release – will most certainly delight fans and may even win over a few new ones along the way.
For those who mightn’t know, Socks hails from Ennis, Co. Clare. Their reputation identifies them as top players who hold a great love for their Irish musical roots, and while their instrumental music is particularly energetic it’s only part of the package, as the songs – and particularly, their finely tuned approach to harmony singing – are a real draw. And while all of this is absolutely important to any band, what sets Socks apart are their live shows, as the wit, humor, and charisma they bring to the stage charms audiences in a most rewarding way.
The music here is robust and accessible. Instrumental tracks, like “The Lighthouse,” the album’s opener, and later “Azizam Amini” and “Beetlejig Beetlejig Beetlejig” feature serious playing that’s raw and full of drive. (For the movie buffs among you: “Beetlejig” has a bit of special effect included that connects it to a popular film series, as its title suggests.) Of the instrumental tracks, I particularly like “Jam Making” and “Willy Anne’s Waltz.” The former, a well arranged and executed effort that allows the group to breathe, works not just because its energy contrasts that of the more aggressive tune sets, but because it allows the musicians’ personalities to shine in a different way. The waltz is a lovely tune in itself and provides contrast, but I find the arrangement engaging and clever. I would be shocked to learn it wouldn’t drive a live audience to dance.
The songs, though, are what stand out to be as particularly important to the album and each is excellent in its own way. The songwriting is deft, with a touch of Americana thrown into the Irish mix. But what I think I like the most – and to me, the thread that unites these songs – is an approach to imagery that relies on what one might call “observational nostalgia,” or a way of evoking a shared sense of sentimentality for everyday things. Coyne delivery meshes perfectly with this approach and songs like “Good as Gold,” “Sweetest Friend,” and “Shoot the Arrow” are strong evidence of this. Each is sure to be a crowd pleaser – they’re memorable, easy to sing along to, and convey a warmth that rewards even a casual listener.
“Waiting for Inspiration” is a fine addition to the Socks discography. The music maintains the energy that fans associate with the band and the new material will not only fill the ears of Irish music fans, it has the potential (like, say, the music of We Banjo 3), to reach outside Irish music’s borders in a way that invites people in. Give this one a listen! And if you’re a fan hankering for some live Socks, bear in mind that the band is currently on a Christmas tour of the U.S. that will take them to venues in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Maine and Massachusetts. For more details about their tour (or their Caribbean cruise in February, or their June and November bus tours of Ireland, or their Patreon), or to just learn more the band and their new album, visit https://socksinthefryingpan.com/.
