The Duhks - s/t

As some of you know, I come from a family of morris-dancing hippie folk fanatics, and every year since I was yay high I have been packed into our car and taken to Cambridge Folk Festival. This isn't actually as lame as it sounds, honest. It's actually full of incredible laid-back friendly people, listening to some of the most amazing music on the planet. I know most people who will read this think folk music is all old men with penny whistles and sheepdogs, but it really isn't. "Folk" means "people", right? Folk music is definitely "for the people", more than any other form of music I can think of.

This year at Cambridge Folk Festival, I was introduced to a Canadian band called The Duhks, and was completely blown over. I've never seen my friend Hamish dance before - and despite the fact that he was just slightly intoxicated - this was the only band that got him jigging like a maddened folk-dancing pro. Every year I discover something life-changing at Cambridge. One year it was Joe Strummer (what can I say? The Clash were before my time!), one year it was Suzanne Vega, this year it was The Duhks.

They blend all the traditional elements; celtic fiddles, old-time banjo, gospel-esque vocals, latin percussion, acoustic guitar... and put it in a blender with some extra ingredients and produce something amazing.

Not many bands can capture their live performance on a studio-recorded CD, but The Duhks just about manage it (although if you get a chance to see them live ever, make sure you fight your way to the front), partly with some producing help from the legendary Bela Fleck - possibly the most worshipped contemporary banjo player around?? Not that I know what I'm talking about, but he seems to be the man when it comes to banjos, and whatever he does evidentally works because this album is awesome.

I play it at work and some of the regular customers can now even sing along to the chorus of Death Came A Knockin'. Get this album, whether you're into Agoraphobic Nosebleed or 50 Cent or Bob Dylan. This band is a bunch of really friendly, really talented people, and they deserve your complete attention!

The Wagoner's Lad
Dance Hall Girls

Expired