Share the post "Album review: MIKE VASS – Decemberwell Decade"
Bandcamp [Release date 18.02.22]
Mike Vass is always an artist coming up with new musical ideas that are both intriguing and enjoyable. On ‘Decemberwell Decade’ he celebrates his 2011 classic winter album with a brand new incarnation. The original album saw Mike Vass composing, arranging, producing, performing and recording this multi-instrumental album himself from his home studio in Glasgow.
Now, a decade on, he celebrates the anniversary by involving some of his most admired musicians and friends, writing music that is solely for them to play, keeping himself firmly in the position of composer and producer.
The musicians involved are Louis Abbot (drums), Philip Cardwell (trumpet), David Foley (flute), Donald Grant (violin), Signy Jakobsdottir (percussion), Kathleen MacInnes & Mairi MacLennan (Gaelic song), Sorren MacLean (guitars), Joseph Peach (piano & accordion) and Emma Smith (double bass).
The whole of ‘Decemerwell Decade’ is one of sonic beauty, however, the closing track ‘Ciuin an aidhch (Silent Night)’, featuring the singing of Kathleen McInnes is stunning. It invokes the seasonal spirit without being cliched or twee.
‘Suspension In The Air’ mixes traditional music with a fast dance beat to good effect, with ‘Two Decker’ dominated by fiddle and trumpet weaving their magic between each other. Another piece of music that benefits from a bit of heft from the drums and dreamy rhythms.
A fascinating reworking and rewarding listen, proving that Mike Vass really deserves greater recognition for his music. If ever there was an album to sum up December musically this it. Sublime. ****
Review by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024
ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account
Popular (last 10 days)
Share the post "Album review: MIKE VASS – Decemberwell Decade"
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
