Release Date: December
2009/Remastered November 2014
Label: Independent
The Seattle based group is comprised of Bill Bowser (Guitar, Violin), Jordan Buetow (Recorders, Hammered Dulcimer), Brian Matheny (Sound Engineering), Bethel Melton (Hammered Dulcimer, Soprano Recorder), Scott Melton (Guitars, Mountain Dulcimer), Robert Schuweiler (Mandola, Bouzouki, Tenor Guitar) and Jeff Reed (Percussion). The group
was saddened this past autumn with the passing of Jeff Reed and the void left
by his absence has been keenly felt by all who knew him.
When I first began to play this album, I had never
encountered Erwilian before. In a few seconds I was hooked for life. The magic
these artists weave is a solid one, bound by years of working together and a
harmony of sound and spirit you don’t often find. It was like being at a Ren
Fest while I was sitting in my writing room, minus the giant turkey leg in hand
and mud on my shoes. Much better.
The album opens up the “In Convivio” complete with the
audience applauding in the background. The music spiraled up and out like a
smooth bite of seasonal mead going down the hatch. Ah but it made my heart
happy. Perfect for the season, the very familiar holiday tune came through,
along with the joy of the musicians playing it. I was in love.
Midway through the play list is “Wandering.” The recorder
lilts out a solitary melody that invites introspection and solitary
contemplation. It fit my mood on this gray and gloomy November afternoon as
time just stopped and I was thankful for good company, a warm puppy snuggling
at my side and the blessing of this wonderful music in my ears. Simple, but
profound, other instrumentation seamlessly wanders in and takes what is there
and expands it. Guitar, percussion and more. It is beauty personified and it
made me want to weep. About half way through the piece, it livens up and I
thought immediately of the Hobbit and the wandering voyage of our lives. We are
all of us wanderers and some of us blessed with companions that love us and
little things like this music to brighten the path we go by.
“Gigues” is the final piece on the album, a medley of
five familiar holiday tunes. The multi-instrumentation of this piece brought me
back to memories of watching A Christmas
Carol when I was young. Then it spun up and became a jolly romp of festive
dance music. A ball of brightly colored gowns and gallant gentlemen escorting
the ladies as they bowed and curtsied, making their way through the paces. Joy.
Pure and simple.
Erwilian is a band I will now follow like a fan girl.
Their unique blend of acoustic instrumentation is bold and lively and brings
out all the best from New Age to bluegrass and folk. The remastered album is a seamless
live effort without too much in the way of clapping that can be annoying, at
least to me. This was perfect. All the music, moderate applause…full on
enjoyment. This is an album that you will love all year round but especially
now as the holiday season comes upon us and we draw close to those we love
best. In closing, a heartfelt thought to the band members and family of Jeff
Reed. Some lights never dim even with the passing of time.
5/5
Stars
Key
Tracks: Midwinter’s Night, Wandering, Gigues
Tracks:
01. In Convivio
02. Midwinter's Night
03. South Prairie Rain
04. Villancicos
05. Wandering
06. Billy in the Lowground/Swinging on a Gate
07. Calling Birds
08. Memories
09. A-Wassailing
10. This Little Babe
11. Gigues
Tracks:
01. In Convivio
02. Midwinter's Night
03. South Prairie Rain
04. Villancicos
05. Wandering
06. Billy in the Lowground/Swinging on a Gate
07. Calling Birds
08. Memories
09. A-Wassailing
10. This Little Babe
11. Gigues
DanaWright, Sr. Staff Writer
November 18, 2014
Review
Provided By New Age Music Reviews