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Artist: Hank Cramer
Album: Caledonia
There are some albums that are only compatible with a specific mood. Caledonia is an example of such a CD. It’s full of classic Celtic songs, but with a twist. Hank Cramer gives them a mellow, almost melancholy undertone, so you’d better be in the mood for that before you put on this CD (or put it on and let yourself get into that mood).
This feeling – let’s call it ‘saudade’ – shines through especially on the acoustic tracks, such as A Health to the Company and Bonnie Heilin’ Laddie, but it is present throughout, thanks to the subtle but poignant use of instruments. This music takes you by the hand and leads you into a gloomy autumn forest, with tepid rain drops dripping down between the leaves, onto your uncovered head.
Yet for all the depressing-sounding language I used there, that forest I mentioned is actually a very pleasant place to be. Hank Cramer manages to stir up the kind of basic feelings music is supposed to awaken. So put on the CD, and let the warm waves of this large selection of beautifully-rendered Celtic traditionals sweep over you.
Jan Jacob Mekes has a passion for history, writing, and writing history (and music, of course). He runs an online cultural magazine, Cultural Zest. You can read more examples of his writings on his portfolio. Jan also writes reviews for Marc Gunn’s Celtic MP3s Music Magazine.
