Dan Walsh is often touted as one of the UK’s finest banjo platers, described by Uncut as “the read deal, a demon picker”, with both his solo output and work with the award winning Urban Folk Quartet receiving critical acclaim, whilst appearances with the likes of The Levellers and Seth Lakeman have further enhanced his stock.
Incidents & Accidents is Dan’s third solo album to date, following on from the well received Same But Different opus. The new album sees Dan strip his sound back a little relying less on guest appearances (although the likes of Patsy Reid and Meaghan Blanchard do guest) but instead concentrating on delivering bare bone laments and heartfelt instrumentals highlighting the human condition in a touching and poignant manner.
The album opens with Time To Stay, a glorious slice of upbeat banjo fueled blues,paying homage (and battling mixed emotions) to his return to Stafford after six years away, Dan instantly grabs the attention with a deft display of blues picking, hard strumming and a suitably gravelly weathered vocal that instantly had me sat to attention.
Last Rambler follows and showcases Dan’s dexterous finger picking on the first of four compelling and inventive instrumentals highlighting his love of all things bluegrass, gaelic, folk and beyond. Talking of folk, Hermit Of Gully Lake, is a lovely laid-back lament featuring an infectious melody, the aforementioned Patsy Reid’s dancing fiddle and warm, breezy vocal harmonies.
With A Memory Like Mine (originally by Darrell Scott) is a stunning slice of Americana, with Dan delivering a wonderfully passionate, gritty vocal, whilst his banjo burns a blazing trail. Whiplash Reel is perhaps the pick of the instrumentals, as Dan showcases a new found love for Indian Classical Music with a stunning and compelling tribute picking and bending strings to create a mesmeric groove. Whilst Only Way To Go unites Meaghan Blanchard’s gorgeous vocal harmonies with Dan’s striking croon creating yet another rootsy highlight.
Incidents And Accidents is a varied, inspiring collection covering the entire roots spectrum from folk to country via world music and blues. Both lyrically and instrumentally, Dan and his mesmeric banjo cook up a storm, bringing stories the songs to life without the need for overcooked instrumentation. This is stripped down, stirring roots at its absolute best, a must have addition to any self discerning music fan’s collection.
Rhythm & Booze rating 10
www.danwalshbanjo.co.uk
Dan Walsh is often touted as one of the UK’s finest banjo platers, described by Uncut as “the read deal, a demon picker”, with both his solo output and work with the award winning Urban Folk Quartet receiving critical acclaim, whilst appearances with the likes of The Levellers and Seth Lakeman have further enhanced his stock.
Incidents & Accidents is Dan’s third solo album to date, following on from the well received Same But Different opus. The new album sees Dan strip his sound back a little relying less on guest appearances (although the likes of Patsy Reid and Meaghan Blanchard do guest) but instead concentrating on delivering bare bone laments and heartfelt instrumentals highlighting the human condition in a touching and poignant manner.
The album opens with Time To Stay, a glorious slice of upbeat banjo fueled blues,paying homage (and battling mixed emotions) to his return to Stafford after six years away, Dan instantly grabs the attention with a deft display of blues picking, hard strumming and a suitably gravelly weathered vocal that instantly had me sat to attention.
Last Rambler follows and showcases Dan’s dexterous finger picking on the first of four compelling and inventive instrumentals highlighting his love of all things bluegrass, gaelic, folk and beyond. Talking of folk, Hermit Of Gully Lake, is a lovely laid-back lament featuring an infectious melody, the aforementioned Patsy Reid’s dancing fiddle and warm, breezy vocal harmonies.
With A Memory Like Mine (originally by Darrell Scott) is a stunning slice of Americana, with Dan delivering a wonderfully passionate, gritty vocal, whilst his banjo burns a blazing trail. Whiplash Reel is perhaps the pick of the instrumentals, as Dan showcases a new found love for Indian Classical Music with a stunning and compelling tribute picking and bending strings to create a mesmeric groove. Whilst Only Way To Go unites Meaghan Blanchard’s gorgeous vocal harmonies with Dan’s striking croon creating yet another rootsy highlight.
Incidents And Accidents is a varied, inspiring collection covering the entire roots spectrum from folk to country via world music and blues. Both lyrically and instrumentally, Dan and his mesmeric banjo cook up a storm, bringing stories the songs to life without the need for overcooked instrumentation. This is stripped down, stirring roots at its absolute best, a must have addition to any self discerning music fan’s collection.
Rhythm & Booze rating 10
www.danwalshbanjo.co.uk