Artist:  Jed Marum
Album: Sands of Aberdeen
Date: 2008

I had never had the pleasure of listening to Jed Marum prior to this assignment, but the words of the title track “kiss my cheek and I awaken” are metaphoric of the inspiration that touched me while reviewing this collection of works sung by the poetic balladeer.

Singer/songwriter Marum is truly a wild emerald of the American West with family roots in County Kilkenny, Ireland.  His ability to capture moments of beauty from his own experience and express them poignantly through song is the very definition of talent.

“The Way Your Earth Moves” is a loving embrace for a full three moments of solace.  This beautiful song was the result of Marum driving through a New England dairy farm at sunset.  Traditional songs like “Broom of the Cowdenknowes” showcase the skill and musicianship of Hugh Morrison, Mason Brown and the five Lonestar Stout project players contributing their instrument talents.  Brown’s banjo makes cowboy lore of “Flora, the Lily of the West.”  The ethereal flute intro to “Willie Coleman” is met with a happy-go-lucky accordion soliloquy tempered by violin mastery.

If you love American folk music with a twist of Scots and Irish, it’s right about time for a sound walk through “The Sands of Aberdeen”.

Dionne Charlet is a freelance writer based in Greater New Orleans. She is a contributing writer for Where Y’at Magazine and reviews music for Marc Gunn’s Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. Dionne runs the Cast Aways Open Theatre Troupe and performs with her fellow Cast Aways volunteers at Ren faires, sci-fi cons, charity venues and festivals throughout the Gulf Coast and beyond. Mrs. Charlet also works as an Outreach Coordinator for the Humane Society of Louisiana. You can contact Dionne at SHIATARA@AOL.com.