Review: “Secret Signs” by The Bow Triplets

Artist: Bow Triplets
Album: Secret Signs
Year produced: 2010

This new CD by the Bow Triplets does not disappoint. “Secret Signs” is a joy to listen to, and I must say, I have always enjoyed the sound that this band puts forth. Brendan Wade plays the flute, guitar, whistles and uilleann pipes, Heidi Sigfalk is on fiddle, viola and guitar and Stef Sigfalk plays mandolin, banjo, guitar, concertina and fiddle. All three contribute to the vocals, which lends a nice mix to the arrangements. You’ll also hear Joe Eisenburger on bass—a frequent contributor to the band’s efforts.

Favorite tracks here include the first, “The Blacksmith”, which is full of emotion, “Be Like The Sea”, a melodious tune, and “Icarus”, which is a simple song that reflects on the popular myth. Truth be told, I just loved the album, and with 17 tracks, there is plenty to listen to. One of my favorite things about this band is that they manage to always sound like themselves without being predictable. Each track offers an interesting glimpse into the talents these musicians have; sometimes featuring one of them, sometimes blending them all together. It’s a lovely mix.

This is the band’s fifth album, and with each new release I have liked them more. While some bands deteriorate and get lost trying to find themselves, the Bow Triplets only get better and more focused. Mixing traditional songs, contemporary music and original compositions, it’s a satisfying blend to listen to. The CD itself is described as “Irish meets Norse”, which is an able description. It also lends a unique thread to the music that sets it apart from your average Celtic fare.

I’m always happy to give this band a listen. And I’m never wanting afterward. See for yourself.

Catherine L. Tully specializes in writing about the arts, lifestyle and travel. She is the Owner of 4dancers, a blog for those who love dance, and Editor for Freelance-Zone, an award-winning site for freelance writers. Catherine also reviews music for Celtic MP3s Music Magazine.

Tags: bow triplets, brendan wade, catherine l. tully, celtic, heidi sigfalk, secret signs, stef sigfalk

This entry was posted on March 17, 2010 at 6:31 am and is filed under CD Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.