Fin da Laand Ageen - Kevin Henderson: You would think Shetland fiddler Kevin Henderson was a lot older than he is with his lengthy track record of collaborations as well as being a member of some of the best known Celtic music bands around including Fiddlers’ Bid, since 1991; Boys of the Lough, since 2002; Session A9, since 2004, yet this lovely CD is Kevin's debut album in his own name. It's called "Fin Da Laand Ageen" which is an old Shetland expression meaning "to arrive back home". This is an album of purely traditional Shetland tunes because as Kevin himself says , "I'm finding the older I get it's the music I am going back to more and more". The tunes he has selected come from across the islands and Kevin's playing throughout is a delight. Musical guests are Mattias Perez - Guitars/Mandola and Nina Perez - Fiddle.
Media Reviews
A seductive gem - The Herald
Title:
A seductive gem - The Herald
Source:
The Herald - Rob Adams
Review:
Between tours with Fiddlers’ Bid, Boys Of The Lough, Session A9 and the Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, Kevin Henderson returns to the deep well of Shetland fiddling and finds inspiration in the dance tunes, marches and often impressionistic “listening” tunes preserved by his predecessors. In its understated way this collection beautifully illustrates the often-made point that traditional tunes need only to be played, not played about with, to maintain their currency, charm and power. Henderson plays with a lightness of touch and gracefulness that bring out myriad qualities, be it the sweet expression of Christmas Day I’da Mornin’, the steely nimbleness of his reels, the buoyancy of his jigs or the Nordic overtones in solo fiddle tracks such as Da Bride’s A Bonnie Ting. Swede Mattias Pérez adds supportive and, occasionally, subtly directive guitar and mandola accompaniments, but everything here... is at the service of the melody, making for a pared-down, seductive gem.
A warm welcoming album - Scotland on Sunday
Title:
A warm welcoming album - Scotland on Sunday
Source:
Scotland on Sunday
Review:
Kevin Henderson is a part of the Shetland plan for world domination through fiddle music, playing with both Session A9 and Fiddlers Bid, amongst others. "Fin Da Laand Ageen" is both a celebration of Shetland fiddle music and music from Shetland celebrations, featuring a number of bridal and wedding tunes across the album. It's a very uplifting album full of vitality and with a session feel to it, you can almost feel the family gathered around Kevin, a dram in hand and feet definitely doing more than shuffling. A warm welcoming album that instantly feels at home.Norman Chalmers - The Scotland on Sunday