Infinite Brightness
Cassel, 2023
8/10
The esteemed fiddler Hanneke Cassel births an all instrumental album that says much without words, and welcomes influences from Scotland and Canada into these 9 bright and tender songs.
“Evacuation Day” starts the listen with Cassel’s intricate fiddle prowess alongside Keith Murphy’s warm acoustic guitar, and “Serendipity/Making Tracie Smile” follows with a very heartfelt and intimate appeal that uses Tristan Clarridge’s cello superbly.
“Lovely Liddy/Teagan’s Trip” arrives at the halfway point and meshes the fiddle, cello and guitar with much grace in the very pretty landscape, while “Katy Ryan’s Wedding Day/Dmitir’s Dream” welcomes Yann Falquet’s meticulous guitar playing to the dreamy climate.
Close to the end, the swift “Raise Your Glass/DFC” balances tension and beauty with incredible attention to detail, and “How Great Thou Art/Cali’s Jig” places Cassel’s piano skills on display and it emits waves of gorgeous key playing that’s absorbing.
A highly mature, lush and timeless body of work, Cassel brings the spirit of Oregon home with these pieces, and with the excellent players on hand, it makes for a Celtic/Irish flavored affair that’s much appreciated.
Travels well with: Melissa Ruth- Bones; The Ransom Brothers- Resurgence