Karrnnel Sawitsky & Daniel Koulack
Album: Fiddle & Banjo – Tunes From The North, Songs From The South
Label: Kos Green
Tracks: 13
Website: http://www.fiddlebanjo.ca/

I have recently been captivated by a lot of old time and fiddle musicianship. I particularly enjoyed April Verch’s latest offering The Newpart. Over recent years it is refreshing to see a lot of the recent old time roots music emanating from Canadian cities. Similarly, Karrnnel Sawitsky has immersed himself in the Canadian old time fiddle tunes mixing this with barn dance traditional Ukrainian music from where he was born. Daniel Koulack moved to Canada when he was just three years of age and has developed into a well respected clawhammer banjoist. This is the second time the two artistic and crafted musicians have come together. This time they are joined by Joey Landreth (songwriter and lead artist for The Bros. Landreth) on Tunes From The North, Songs From The South. Joey provides vocals on several of the albums’ thirteen tracks, eight of which are instrumentals.

Starting off with a very short instrumental track called ‘Goofing Off Theme’ that comes in at just over a minute in length is a great introduction to both musicians and their instruments. A piece that has a slow fiddle with a medium paced pickin’ banjo. ‘Little Birdie’ is the standout track on the album and it’s the first time to hear the gravelly and sometimes smoky vocals of Landreth. The choruses and the shape of this traditional song have been cleverly rearranged and will definitely leave a memorable sing-along tune planted in your head.

The pace is slowed right down with another instrumental and some very delicate instrument playing with ‘Lullaby’. While being captivated and mesmerized by the gentle sounds I imagine a nature scene with butterflies and dragonflies in a country meadow (or maybe it’s my imagination running away with me but that’s what this music seems to do).

For the second time this month I have come across the track ‘Groundhog’ (previously mentioned in the recent Fatea Slocan Ramblers review). Obviously, I had to compare the both although I wish I hadn’t as it is hard to choose a favourite version. They are both very similar although I think Landreth’s vocal is a little speedier with Sawitsky and Koulack providing a bit more of a classical and folksy feel to this traditional classic.

There’s more of a folk and Celtic feel to the instrumentals ‘The Woodchuck Set’ and Waltz of Life’ although both are contrasting in their pace. Here you can listen clearly and find out how well Sawitsky’s fiddle blend’s with Koulack’s banjo. It is a majestic partnership and musicianship with both at the highest level of their artistic abilities and the sound is immaculate and addictive.

Alongside Landreth is the sweet vocal of Amy Matysio and they complement each other well on the classic ‘Red Rocking Chair’ from the string band Red Clay Ramblers. This song isn’t just a straight forward reworking it’s a vision of how to blend this with parts of the old time banjo ‘Chinquapin Pie’ by Hobart Smith. It is clear that both musicians have a huge passion not just of their instruments but also of the history of their musical roots. The finished sound is very reminiscent of the some of the old time masters of bluegrass from the early days.

There is a very atmospheric flavour to ‘Killin’ Floor’ where in parts it sounds like something from a western movie. There are soulful and reflective lyrics like “if I could ever get off of this killin’ floor, I’m never going down that road no more... these hard times will drive you from door to door”.

A couple more expertly played tunes finish off a splendid album. ‘The Old French Set’ being the penultimate track is definitely a country/folk tune for doing a dance or a jig too. In fact it sounds as if there are clog dancers joining in with the banjo and fiddle playing. It reminds me of the traditional musical dances that we see at the Eisteddfod here in Wales and this one along with the whole album would certainly go down a treat. The longest track title on the album ‘How Does a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live’ is also the longest song on the album. The easily relatable lyrics are very reflective of the hard times of living. They refer to the struggles and how it is a battle to survive and are sung in the customary Landreth soulful way. Even though the interplay of the musicians is the most predominant aspect of this collection the vocals also compliment the five non instrumental songs brilliantly. Tunes From The North, Songs From The South certainly delivers what it sets out to do of encompassing the familiar Canadian roots and folk with the country/bluegrass of Appalachia. This album is a ‘must listen’ and one that you will certainly not want to stop listening to.

Craig Parry