Search - Malinky :: Last Leaves

A great new Scottish trad group & Spectacular Singer!

J. Scarff | Berkeley, CA United States | 04/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Malinky is a remarkably good Scots band and Karine Polwart is amazing. Karine is also now playing with the Battlefield Band. (You can and should check out samples of her singing, particularly on the song "Shepherd Boy", on the page for the Battlefield Band's excellent CD "Happy Daze". All the kudos for Malinky shown above are fully deserved. The inventiveness and freshness of their arrangements and playing is wonderful. Karine also contributes two of her own songs, and her singing is electrifying on her song "The Dreadful End of Marianna for Sorcery". It is one of those moments that captures the full beauty and force of traditional Scottish music. Hear this song once and you too will be a Karine Polwart fan. The boys do more than hold their own with fine playing on the tunes and songs keeping energy hopping along. I also should mention Steve Byrne's lovely singing on a couple of songs. A great new discovery! Very highly recommended."

Wonderful Scottish-Celtic Music

Lore Schindler | Pasadena, CA USA | 08/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a wonderful find! There is so much to recommend about this CD and this band. The music is sometimes fun, sometimes haunting, but always true to the folk tradition. The liner notes personalize each song, and help the listener to understand some of the lyrics (for some of the songs have a strong Scottish brogue). Karine has a wonderful voice, and uses it on Dimna Juda to have almost a bagpipe sound at the end. The instrumental pieces are terrific! If you like Celtic music, and especially if you like some of the original Loreena McKennitt music, you'll love this CD!"