Chasing Sparks review in Folk World
FOLK WORLD
JEREMY KITTEL – Chasing Sparks
Compass Records 4531
11 tracks, 65 minutes
If you’re one of those people who find sleeve notes an irritation, never read them, can’t get them back into the case, and frequently throw them away, then this album is perfect for you. Over an hour of fiddle music, from the devilish to the divine, played by a consummate musician whose style and repertoire sit somewhere between Nashville and Nairn. That’s Nairn, Scotland. Track 1 is a modern showpiece with clever touches around some funky driving reels, could be Alasdair Fraser holding the bow. Track 2 is more akin to the languid jigs of Clare, followed by a modern offbeat rhythm on twin fiddles and cello. Track 3 is a poignant air, solo fiddle then some slightly overpowering keyboards, with a beautiful finish. Track 4 is back to reels, ish, fiery and frantic, full of sound and fury. You know who you’re listening to, and he’s better than good: it doesn’t really matter what the tunes are.
If, like me, you do want to know what the tunes are, who wrote them, where they came from, and maybe even why they’re on this CD, then you’ll have to read the small print. You’ll have to find it first. Even then, it doesn’t tell you much. Except maybe that Jeremy Kittel just plays stuff, and writes stuff, without too much navel-gazing. Which is fine, and let me stress again that he is a brilliant and exciting young fiddler. What he plays is actually a lot of good old-fashioned Celtic music. That languid Clare jig was The Rolling Waves. Tola Custy’s catchy Up Downey is at the core of the opening medley. Mr. Kittel makes a magical job of The May Morning Dew as a solo slow air. The massive Bear Island Reel growls and dances in his hands, alongside compositions by Hanneke Cassel and Rodney Miller. Jeremy is joined by some Nashville names I recognize – Edgar Mayer, Chris Thile and Mike Marshall in particular – as well as the charming Haas sisters Natalie and Brittany on cello and fiddle. Think Alasdair Fraser again. Another aspect of this recording which really impressed me was the number and quality of slower tracks: the slightly alternative Woods by guitarist Kyle Sanna, the virtuoso final Napkin Tune, and Jeremy’s own Remember Blake. More than half the material here is credited to Kittel, and there isn’t a weak link in the chain. It’s fresh, it’s fun, and it’s technically excellent. Chasing Sparks? Jeremy Kittel kicks up enough of his own. Very highly recommended.
Alex Monaghan
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