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Labyrinth: Skyedance (Culburnie Records, 2000)

Ah, Riverdance! Thank you, thank you, thank you for making Celtic music hip and popular! What would we Irish, Scottish, and Welsh musicians be doing right now without you? We would probably have only the Chieftains as our role models and would likely be playing "deedly-deedly-dee" music.

But we're not doing that, are we? Celtic music recordings now are as varied as rock, country, and pop. You find all styles, often in one CD. Labyrinth by the Scottish-American group Skyedance is a perfect example. Musicians such as Chris Norman on flute, Robin Bullock on guitar, and Eric Rigler on various bagpipes lend much credibility and talent to this recording. The musicianship is superb, with Norman's traditional flute and Rigler's piping being foremost. Alasdair Fraser, a well-known Scottish fiddler, is also featured. Other musicians include Paul Machlis on keyboards, Mick Linden on bass, Peter Maund on percussion, and Praire Prince on drums.

The liner notes indicate that this self-produced recording is made to celebrate many cultures with "labyrinths being deeply symbolic of life's journey." The feel of the CD is mainly Scottish, but jazz, blues, and world beat are tossed into the mix. It seems all tunes are original (the liner notes don't clearly explain that), though many sound traditionally based. Although nice, none of the melodies or arrangements really reach out and grab the listener. The first track, "The Spark," sounds like it came from the pen of Bill Whelan, composer of Riverdance. It starts with a misty feel, so popular and expected in New Age Celtic music, then turns into a rock/jazz tune. "La Gallega" starts with traditional flute playing but goes into a jazz feel, as do so many tunes on this CD. "Fite Fuaite" (Irish for "woven into and through each other") seems to blend a slower, jazzier tune into a more traditional-sounding Irish reel. The flute and uillean pipes (Irish bagpipes) commingle wonderfully, but with a name like that, I would expect a more intricate melodic counterpoint structure, not just two tunes being mundanely melded.

"The Iron Ring/Boxwood Reel" features Chris Norman on flute and teases me with expectations of hearing a traditionally played track. It does kick into a more traditional feel towards the middle, but I had to wade through the world beat first. And much to my dismay, it ends with the same world feel.

"Into the Labyrinth" is my favorite, having a very Eastern feel to it and being possibly the most original and diverse. The remaining tracks are basically the same as above, striving to be something different but not quite reaching that goal.

I realize and appreciate that musicians have to experiment in order to find their true niche. It is wonderful that so many musicians are returning to "root" music and changing it to make it their own. This CD, purchased primarily because of Chris Norman, falls short of expectations. The performances are excellent, the engineering superb. However, this CD feels too produced and contrived. It lacks spontaneity and a driving energy, two of the uniquely beautiful things about Celtic music.
- r. beth hicks

R. Beth Hicks is a massage therapist and Reiki Master, practicing at Medical Massage Clinic in Upper Arlington, and is a member of Knot Fibb'n, a Columbus Irish-American band.