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Excalibur Magazine Review of Storming Heaven May 2005 Excalibur Magazine Review
of Storming Heaven [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] Renaissance Magazine
Review of Storming Heaven [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] Thepaganreview.com
Review of Avalon Rising Recently we put out a call for Pagan musicians to submit their work for us to review, and Avalon Rising was one of the first to respond. I'm so glad they did! This is an interesting CD with an eclectic mix of music. With some bands, all of their songs sound the same, not true with Avalon Rising! The Great Selkie is a traditional song about a maid who gives birth to the son of the Great Selkie who then tell her of her future along with his and their son's sad destiny. My favorite song on this CD is Andray Soulet. I don't have a clue what the words mean, but the beat on this one is amazing, sexy and seductive all the way. Kristoph Klover writes several of the songs, along with playing the 12-string acoustic guitar and singing. These songs sing of olden days, of times long past, and transport you into a different world. Dark Moon Circle, written by Cynthia McQuillin, is another favorite. Asking the Lady to join in a celebration, this is the perfect Beltaine song. Reborn is an upbeat, interesting song about reincarnation from the view of the reincarnated. This is a great CD, and I really enjoyed it. Thepaganreview.com
Review of Storming Heaven Totally awesome! This CD contains some original material,
but also includes many Irish, English and Scottish traditional songs. Even the traditional
songs are done with a modern twist, giving them extra appeal. Songs on this CD include: These songs are quite suitable for an energetic festival celebration, and will definitely have participants dancing all over the place! Avalon Rising is able to play a traditional song and make it sound traditional and familiar, yet make it sound new and like a song you've never heard before by making it their own, all at the same time. Although I would have to say I prefer the musical instruments to the vocals, each singer has their own very distinct voice - not the kind you will find on American Idol, but voices that have a highly natural quality to them. Avalon Rising is truly talented, experimental and out to make a name for themselves as exceptional modern day minstrels. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] Amazon.com Review of Storming
Heaven [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] Guitar Player Magazine
Review of Storming Heaven Avalon Rising Storming Heaven: Like many things that bubble up in an Irish cultural stew, Celtic music is simultaneously blessed and cursed. The music's passion, angst, and ethereal beauty can be truly astounding, but - like the blues - it can become cliched and almost laughable when embraced by dunderheads and dilettantes. Happily (at least for my ears), Avalon Rising drifts above the curse by being both real and adventurous. The band wisely lets violinist Cat Taylor and flutist/harpist Margaret Davis deliver the major Celtic vibe, and they are absolutely stellar musicians. The duo's soaring, almost achingly sensual phrasing gives age-old and original melodies near-cinematic impact. (Don't be surprised or embarrassed if you shed a tear when listening to their plaintive harmonic dances - it just means you're a living, breathing, feeling person.) The wilder bits are injected by guitarist Kristoph Klover, who employs a bratty Strat tone and an affinity for blues and psychedelia to modernize the standard Celtic formula without tanking the traditional melodic and rhythmic devices that make this music so endearing. Avalon Rising isn't the most trad or the most progressive Celtic-based band I've heard, but it's certainly the group I'd pick to lift up my spirits or drown me deeper into my Guinness. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] Dirty Linen Magazine Review
of Storming Heaven If you prefer music also designed to sound good when you're sober, the California quintet Avalon Rising is another band that incorporates bass, drums, and electric instruments, but its approach to English, Irish, and Scottish music on Storming Heaven [Flowinglass Music FM011 (2004)] is a little lighter and much more melodic. The old Fairport Convention standard "The Hexamshire Lass" gets a rousing treatment that invies a singalong, while "Glasgow Peggy" has a Renaissance feel with an electric guitar chiming in. Electric fiddler Cat Taylor and flutist Margaret Davis lead the charge on the tune sets, which are also accented by some intricate resonant bass work from Mark Ungar. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] New Witch Magazine Review
of Storming Heaven Storming Heaven is the second offering from Bay Area Celtic rock band Avalon Rising, a group long known for exciting arrangements of traditional pieces, as well as intense and enthralling original songs. Fans have been waiting several years for this CD, and it doesn't disappoint; the production values are splendid, providing a crisp, complexly layered sound. The song selections are varied, ranging from instrumentals to some heavily rock-influenced numbers, such as the album's most likely hit within the Pagan community, "Jack Daw," a song that includes lines such as "Jack Daw went to the Maypole/With ribbons for the Spring/And maidens wrapped around him/As befits the Summer's King." A common complaint among fans of Celtic rock is that eventually everything can start to sound the same. Avalon Rising avoids this problem by taking advantaqe of the unique skills offered by its members, which include veterans of several other Celtic rock groups (among them Annwn and Phoenyx). Of particular note are Kristoph Klover's soaring vocals, Margaret Davis's harp and flute playing, and Cat Taylor's energetic, skillful fiddling. This is high-quality musicianship, and better still, it's high-quality music. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] Chaos Realm Review of Storming
Heaven Mixing Celtic & rock music can be a sticky business. Sometimes it works like a charm, becoming a wonderful, even flow where the thousands of years between the origins of the 2 melt away to a glorious fusion. I'm thinking 7N and Black 47 as examples. Other times, more often, it's like oil & water, becoming formulated and disjointed at best, and a hideous & contrived train wreck at worst. I'll refrain from countless examples but we've all heard 'em. Fortunately, Oakland's AVALON RISING fall on the former side of this steep divide. Of course, any Celtic band with songs as their base is going to need a singer and AR has one in spades in Margaret Davis. Her prowess would be enough to have her in my short-list, along with Maireid Sullivan & Grace Griffith, as her solo CD from a few years ago proves. Here (and on the band's previous disc), she weaves her talents gorgeously into the band tapestry. And, the rest of AVALON RISING is great! From Kristoph Klover's killer guitar work (electric enough for rock & yet not too much so to clash), to Cat Taylor's violin, the playing is top-notch and yet organic enough to avoid the overly-polished black hole. Listen to numbers like "Jack Daw" and "Turning In Time" and be reeled in my one of the year's best Celtic rock releases. [ Top of page
] [ Back to Main Page ] Avalon Rising, from the San Francisco Bay area, play Irish folk-rock with touches of medieval music. While many prog rock fans are familiar with Horslips, there seems to be little activity in this genre in Ireland today, so Avalon Rising may well be the best Irish folk-rock band currently working. There are male & female vocals, electric & acoustic guitars, electric & acoustic violin, flute, Celtic harp, recorder, mandolin, bass, and drums. As one of the band members has pointed out, there are bands out there calling themselves Celtic rock, but they are actually playing a version of Celtic country. The common weakness of bands attempting this style is that the musicians are often coming from the folk side, and to the extent they have a rock pedigree at all, it is usually rock of the mundane variety. The result is a ãsmallä sound by prog rock standards. Have no fear, Avalon Rising sound like they know what theyâre doing, the arrangements are complex, and the rhythm section is powerful. There is plenty of high-energy instrumental content. Obviously then this is recommended to fans of the folky side of Jethro Tull, Tempest, Wolfstone, and of course Horslips. 74-minutes! [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] progressiveears.com Review
of Storming Heaven Storming Heaven by Avalon Rising: Summary : A refreshing new-age approach to an old-world style. In order to quickly and accurately describe the music of a band not yet on the Clearchannel playlists, reviewers use two tools: Genre, and comparisons with other bands. But Avalon Rising's music doesn't lend itself well to either of those tools. In theory Storming Heaven is Celtic rock. In fact it is very Celtic, rather medieval, and a bit rock. And although it's Celtic rock, do not think of Mostly Autumn or even Karnataka. Those bands are more progressive and far closer to the "rock" end of their genre. Iona may be a stretch too, and many would compare Avalon Rising to Shine Dion, Loreena McKennitt or Candice Night, but those are also uncomfortable references. Perhaps Clannad would be closer. Since neither comparison nor genre will work very well, hopefully a more creative description of the music will help: Remember Glass Hammer's Middle Earth Album? All those hobbits with their barroom sing-along songs? Now imagine that the Prancing Pony's management hired the best musicians of the time and allowed them to use a very limited amount of electric and bass guitar. The band had a male and a female vocalist and used an imaginative array of instruments - violin, flute, harp, recorder, mandolin, oboe , trap drums, celtic harp, recorder, bodhran (a percussion instrument), doumbek (also percussion), and mandocello (tuned about half an octave below a mandolin). Make no mistake, despite that interesting mix of instruments it is Kristoph Klover's guitars that define this music, although they're held tastefully back in the mix and often contribute to the traditional atmosphere. Imagine a distorted guitar picking a riff along the bass strings as an accompaniment to a fiddle and recorder playing frantically-paced, complex melodies. And over the 5 minutes the all instrumental piece introduces percussion and bass, and the guitar's riff is developed into an interesting melody that complements the violin. You'll be left breathless and fascinated. And the rest of the tunes are altogether different! Avalon Rising is a project of husband and wife team Margaret Davis and Kristoph Klover. Davis is a classically trained soprano, and although her voice is one of the sounds that will stay with you long after the CD player has been turned off, the vocals are not the strongest component of this music. That honor belongs to the guitars and to Cat Taylor's violins - one of which is a sometimes-strident but masterfully played 5-string electric. The band resides in the San Francisco area and has gathered a dedicated following through two albums and ten years of local appearances. And Like Glass Hammer, they were selected as the band for an official Lord of the Rings Oscar party in Hollywood. The basis of this sound is in traditional English, Scottish and (mostly) Irish folk music, and there are continental renaissance-era influences. A few of the 15 short tracks are original compositions while the rest are adaptations of traditional pieces. And all 73 minutes are filled with those uplifting, bouncy compositions that will have you tapping your feet the first time you play it, and whistling along with the melodies every subsequent time. Remember Mike Oldfield's stylized Irish ditties? Well this isn't stylized - it is as close to the real thing as you'll get in the 21st century. To appreciate this one your tastes will have to extend beyond just prog and rock. This music applies a progressive spin to retrogressive music and will be appreciated by hobbits and open minded music fans everywhere. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] Amazon.com Review of Storming
Heaven Hoot Mon!! Tap Yer Toes! Better Yet, Let's Dance! Avalon Rising proves worthy...stellar work on both traditional classics, covers and original tunes. They confirm that headlining time is here. Reminiscent of Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention and Pentangle, this band is a gift to Celtic rock fans. "Tempest" move over, musicianship and vitality come through on this bright brilliant mix of sweet, dance and merry songs. My list of favorites : first, traditional and instrumentals; Pesto & Side Sets, Congress Reel/Red Crow, Glasgow Peggy, Hexamshire Lass, Lark In The Morning. For the originals; Jack Daw, Turning In Time, make the grade. Even the cover of John Phillips' Dancing Bear is fun. Kristoph & Cynthia's singing could be stronger, but this cd is a fine effort. Especially musically this is a great experience. The only better thing to do is hear this adept band play these gems live. (Happily, the Celtic harp stood out more live and the solos last longer). Tossed in with their outstanding contagious tunes are surprises; a medley of Tull, and Who and then a few Grateful Dead tunes which makes us old rockers jump with glee. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] thehereandthere.net
Review of Storming Heaven Avalon Rising is a San Francisco, California-based progressive Celtic and Medieval Rock band. I have been a fan of Avalon Rising even without hearing a single tune simply because one the best musicians I ever met had joined the band. Cat Taylor was in another Celtic band when we first met in San Jose a few years ago. The band was Phoenyx and it was my first taste of Celtic music. I was a fan ever after, but bands like Avalon Rising are few and far between.You get a few "Irish"bands who play lots of harps and verisons of "Danny Boy", but not very many original bands. Storming Heaven is a jewel, plain and simple. Wonderful vocals by Margaret Davis and Kristoph Klover (who dated the late Marion Zimmer Bradley's daughter for a time. Bradley was famous for the Darkover series and for the "Mists of Avalon"). Cat Taylor plays the fiddles, Scott Irwin is on drums and Mark Ungar is the bass and mandoello player. Davis and Klover also play guitar, oboe, flute, Celtic harp and recorder. This is a seriously talented band. And after 10 years, and hundreds if not thousands of shows,they are a tightly knit group of friends. The interaction is seamless on every track, leading a perfect album. And with 15 cuts,you are getting your money's worth. My favorite songs on the album were "Sidhe Set" and "Jack Daw," which was written by Klover and is a superb song. Avalon Rising plays a lot of festivals and was chosen as the band for the offical Lord of the Rings Oscar party for the cast and fan club. If you needed any more proof of how good Avalon Rising is, there you go ... one of the year's best. Highly recommended. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] East Bay Express Article All Hail the Halflings Geeks are the new hipsters. You missed it. It's not your
fault. This seismic cultural shift played out slowly and deliberately, a zeitgeist
continental drift unfolding over centuries, eras, eons. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] The Bohemian Article Very rarely do the words "hip" and "Renaissance fair" meet, and perhaps for this we should be glad. After all, who wants to see a bunch of indie rockers traipsing around in Diesel jeans and pirate shirts (well, yeah. those God-awful Ug boots do come close). But with all of this rampant hobbitry going on, even cool kids are coming out of the proverbial medieval closet. Hell, has anyone noticed that an actor whose major credits include playing an elf and a pirate graced a recent cover of Teen Beat? The Celtic jam-rockers Avalon Rising are way, way past that. They've been in touch with both their inner and outer fantastical selves for years, and have been musically embracing the totem of dragons and fairy queens for a good 10 years. Combining harp, flute, recorder, mandolin, electIic violin and both acoustic and electric guitars along with other miscellaneous reed and string instruments), Avalon Rising inject traditional balladry with a churning rhythm section and a few sprightly touches of good old prog rock to create a sound that's a mixture of Tubular Bells, Dead Can Dance and that song Pippin sings in the film version of The Return of the King. They even recorded an album (2002's The Starlit ]ewel) of J. R. R. Tolkien lyrics set to music composed by Marion Zimmer Bradley, who wrote The Mists of Avalon. Avalon Rising's newest album, Storming Heaven, is hot off the presses and full of Celtic-jammy vim and vigor. Get in on the Rennie-geek-chic as Avalon Rising play a CD release party at Smiley's Schooner Saloon in Bolinas on Friday, Feb. 20. 41 Wharf Road. Bolinas. For details, call 415.868.1311. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] Daily Review Article Avalon Rising will revisit its early years during an anniversary performance in Hayward on Saturday. A Celtic rock band based in Oakland, the group has been together for a decade. Although some musicians have replaced others over the years, the band still offers a solid rock sound, members say. "But we have gotten a little less acoustic and more electric over time," says Margaret Davis, an Avalon Rising vocalist who also plays the flute, Celtic harp and recorder. Another vocalist in the band, Kristoph Klover, added that the Celtic rock group's sounds have gotten a bit more psychedelic as well. Klover, who also plays the electric and l2-string guitar, octave mandolin and the oboe, started the band with Davis, his wife, when they began to play as a duo. They added a few members, changed a few others and now rock out with Scott Irwin on the trap drums and Cat Taylor, who plays the electric and acoustic fiddle. Former Avalon Rising musicians Deirdre McCarthy, Beth Milne and Pete Gascoyne will also make an appearance at Saturday's l0th anniversary show. Klover says the main feature of this concert will be the inclusion of a large selection of music from the unique rock group's first album, including songs it has not performed in a very long time. "We're one of the only bands that play Celtic rock," he says. "Most bands out there call themselves Celtic rock, but they are actually playing a version of Celtic country." Avalon Rising's l0th Anniversary Show will begin at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the Bistro, 1001 B St., Hayward. Admission is free. Call (510) 886-8525 or (510)569-0437. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ]
Rambles.net Review of
Avalon Rising Avalon Rising didn't have to do much to win me over. The
self-titled album starts with "The Great Selkie," a traditional song I've
been longing to hear performed since I was wee. I would have loved the song even
if it hadn't been wrapped in music that so clearly held the swell and crash of waves,
carried by the ice-clear voices of Margaret Davis and Deirdre McCarthy. The inclusion
of the Peter Gascoyne's refrain for the song's gunner was a completely unnecessary
bribe. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] Chaos Realm Review of Avalon
Rising Yes, I know this one is from awhile ago, but I just recently got a tip on it and I'm glad I did, 'cause I like it! AVALON RISING play a unique blend of music that takes the best aspects of Celtic folk and progressive rock. In this way, they remind me of a couple other cool bands I reviewed on here further below, Fenja Menja and Finn MacCool (both also quite recommended). AVALON RISING include a few traditional pieces, like the striking opener "The Great Selkie," yet the majority of the works are their own. Excellent examples are "To The Sea," "Reborn" and the killer epic "Perilous Garde." While the latter times in at 7 1/2 minutes, it's not length for the sake of it, rather a journey of intricate pacing both lyrically and musically. AVALON RISING do a great job of combining rock instrumentation with the timelessness of mandolin, bodhran and even French horn, then adding the diversity of both male & female vocals. This is a top-notch album that will appeal to people across the genres mentioned below and the earth-based spirituality in the lyrics is an added bonus. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] Psyche Van Het Radio Show
and website Review of Avalon Rising Although this release is already some years old, I remembered it as having strong capacities, which I liked so much I believe it deserves some extra attention for a small review. I really like the full group's sound with Margaret Davis, female crystal clear medieval vocals, harp & flute and Kristoph Klover, male vocals,guitars, mandolin on the lead, with Deirdre McCarthy, backing vocals and additional instruments texturing the music, with Peter Gascoyne, drums and backing vocals, Beth Milne, bass & French horne arrangements, and Mike Pooler some additional keyboards. This 'full' sound is a strong folkrock sound with medieval touches, and originally arranged songs (like "The Great Selkie"). In "Where the Sunset is Golden" I like especially the melodic touches of the combination of flute and French horn on the folkrock sound with 12string and electric guitars drums and keyboards with romantic singing. "Andrey Soulet", for instance, a 15th century song by Matteao da Perugia, has also a fine interpretation, and has been transformed into prog folk through the extra drums, electric bass and guitar (by Kristoph) driving the rhythm on medieval flute and outstanding multilyered vocals (by Margaret), and with a slightly exotic touch of doumbek & riq (by Deirdre). The group has the luck to have the professional vocals by Margaret to perfom songs like "Contre le Tens / Toda Cousa" two French medieval troubadour songs. Two tracks fit less in the musical concept : "To the sea" (by Deirdre), which is the only rock track, which has in the first part not such finely arranged instrumentation, and altough the band improvises a bit in between the chorus parts, it falls off the record as a more forgettable track. Also "Reborn" (by Pete Gescoyne) has a different starting point, and despite it's textured folk and electric guitar arrangements that uplift it, it remains a mainstream poprock track. Also the last track "Black Davie's Ride" (by Cynthia Mc Quillin) misses some refinement of the more outstanding tracks on the album. Songs like "God walks among us" has a much more romantic folkrock feel, with just enough openness for the fine textures of the harp, a vocal arrangements part, and an electric guitar solo with harp and additional textured percussion and keyboards. "Dark Moon Circle" is a Pagan tribal song that sounds like a folkrock medieval traditional. The album has very strong moments, with a group's sound that is just perfect for it, with a good balance of folkrock and refined textures, making this album worth to discover. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] Green Man Review of Avalon
Rising Based in the San Francisco Bay area, Avalon Rising belongs to that Celtic/New Age-Pagan/Medieval-Renaissance nexus. Featuring fine vocals - four different members take their shot at lead vocals and all of them nail their songs - this self-titled debut is a fine CD. The layered instrumental arrangements and harmonies give provide a level of mystery that occasionally goes too over the top, but is usually a treat to listen to. The lead-off track, "The Great Selkie," is one of the finest. The arrangement is perfect, with flowing lyrics and instrumentation - and a nice touch of snare drums for emphasis at the right point. The 15th century "Andray Soulet" is a masterful work of mixing with Margaret Davis handling several lines. Pete Gascoyne and Deirdre McCarthy's percussion work is outstanding. Cynthia McQullin's female pagan "Dark Moon Circle" gets a nice arrangement with Kristoph Klover shining on mandolin; an instrumental riff on "The Red-Haired Boy" (a.k.a. "The Little Beggarman") somehow comes off as a very good joke. Gascoyne's "Reborn" is a joyful song of reincarnation and new meetings of old souls. This is another CD that has been growing on me, as each listening reveals another level to the tunes and arrangements. While it appears from their Web site that Avalon Rising is still together with at least Davis and Klover remaining, they don't seem to have made another CD (although they've pursued their share of individual and other group projects). I'm looking forward to when they do another recording as Avalon Rising. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] Pagan Rock Bands Website:
Review of Avalon Rising With their debut CD, Avalon Rising offers their own fusion of traditional Celtic and Medieval instrumentation (harp, octave mandolin, recorder, and Middle Eastern percussion) with electric rock sounds and attitude. The result is an enchanting musical stew, alternating between delicately melodic and groove-laden. Much of the delicacy is due to the prominence of the harp on several tunes, most notably "God Walks Among Us", where it provides a lovely counterpoint to the 12-string guitar. AR has its rocking moments, though, such as in"To the Sea", where a slow synth and vocal intro leads into a briskly uptempo, ska-inflected rune. The musicianship throughout is solid, with well-crafted arrangelnents and lovely harmonies. I would prefer, however, to hear Kristoph Klover's voice placed a little more prominently in the mix, as it tends to blend timbrally with his guitar. The songs range from traditional Celtic ballads ("The Great Selkie") to a medieval Portuguese court song ("Contre Le Tens/Toda Cousa") to originals by several band members and pagan singer/songwriter Cynthia McQuillan, and cluster around themes of longing, fantasy, and the sea. A good choice for fans of Celtic and acoustic rock. Scott's picks: "To the Sea", "The Great Selkie" [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] Radio Limerick Review
of Avalon Rising Based in the Oakland area of Califronia Avalon Rising combine
the best elements of traditional and contemporary folk, rock , medieval and renaissance
music into a powerful and cohesive package. Fronted by harpist/singer Margaret Davis
whose strong and commanding vocals lead the fray, Avalon Rising's suit is a fresh
vibrant yet lyrical slant on electric folk and similar fusions. "The Great Selkie"
provides a melodic yet powerful take on a familiar ballad combining inventive musical
muscle with luscious vocal harmonies. Deirdre McCarthy's "To the sea" and
Kristoph Klover's "Where the sunset is golden" mix straight rock with folk
and psychedelic influences convincingly. "Reborn" reveals a pop sensibility
while ~'Perlious Garde" is sublime acid folk balladry and ''Contre Le Tens"
highlights their medieval leanings. Finely honed and finetuned with a powerful blend
of classic rock and folk styles "Avalon Rising" is a superb debut album.
KKUP FM Review of Avalon
Rising Avalon Rising represents a melding of traditional, mythopoetic folk tunes with modern studio techniques to powerful effect. This is an engaging combination of folktunes with high technology arrangements. Listen especially to the Great Selkie and Black Davieís Ride. Andray Soulet is a stunning example of vocalise with Margaretís voice overdubbed to mythical 3-part harmonies.Margaret Davis sings with power, subtlety, and a purity of tone that adds a special quality to all the songs on which she is featured. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] the folknik Review of
Avalon Rising It's been a while since I've been so blown away by a group's vocal harmonies, instrumental skills, and driving energy. Avalon Rising's ability to honor and reinvent traditional music reminds me vividly of Pentangle and Steeleye Span, although this album only has three and a half traditional pieces (too few!): "The Great Selkie," "Old Johnny Doo" (instrumental) and two medieval French songs. Margaret Davis is an incredible singer, but they all sing; Deirdre McCarthy in particular emotes like a young Maddy Prior in her husky alto. They also play guitar, mandolin, flute, harp, recorder, bodhran, drums, bass, horn, keyboards, and eiectric guitar. The only parts of the album that are not, in my opinion, of international caliber are the lyrics to their original songs-- but with music and arrangements like this, you don't have to listen to the words to be impressed. Catch them locally while you can. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] Hypatia's Hoard Review
of Avalon Rising If you love folk or filk music, you'll recognize many of
the names:in Avalon Rising: Kristoph Klover, Margaret Davis, Deirdre McCarthy, Peter
Gascoyne, and Beth Milne. Rich Celtic influence blends with more modern themes and
stylistic elements for a great Pagan feel. Featured instruments include octave mandolin,
12-string guitar, flute, Celtic harp, bodhran, doumbek, bass, and keyboard. Clear
vocals bring out the beauty of the songs, and complete lyrics for all of them appear
Some of the songs are classics, like "Black Davie's Ride" (4:10), "Perilous Garde" (7:31), "To the Sea" (4:30), and "Dark Moon Circle" (3:34)/ Consider these words from "God Walks Among Us" (4:35): God wakes among us These evocative Pagan songs lend themselves well to a variety of uses; play them by yourself or during the social part of your coven meetings. Some are suitable for ritual use, too. Highly recommended. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] Awareness Magazine Review
of Avalon Rising Avalon Rising" is a beautifully crafted tapestry, deeply enriched in the story-telling fashion of traditional English folk music. The stories being related are usually based in loose historical fact, orally and musically passed down through generations. This style is also used by "Avalon Rising" to incorporate modern thinking, straddling the lines of current spiritual folklore, bespeaking of the seeker's quest and journey. Surprisingly, the bulk of the music is played on modern instruments, i.e, guitar, bass, drums and keyboards. The sprinkling of harp, alto recorder and octive mandolin added a refined thread to the sonic mix. The strength of "Avalon Rising" was evident in the feel and movement of the songs. The emotion of the vocals seamlessly meshed with the music, cresting, rolling and weaving in a synchronized flow. Each song had a live feel; it was obvious this was a polished band, not just a group of talented musicians who decided to come together to produce a recording. "Avalon Rising" promoted a credible representation of neo-energy through an updated and revised archaic style of music. "Avalon Rising" represented the vision and path of these musicians. Their intent tangible and attainable, their songs depicting the results of an ongoing project. The music felt good, the lyrics were poetic yet plaintive. The message alluded to triumph through life's lessons, the ensuing joy and the renewed ability to carry on. I was satisfied. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] Relix Magazine Review of
Avalon Rising Avalon Rising is an interesting folk-based band that melds together Celtic melodies and instrumentation with touches of Middle Eastern rhythms and a wry rock sensibility. The band's self-titled album is a sheer delight. Vocalist Margaret Davis is quite mesmerizing throughout, particularly in an intense version of the traditional "The Great Selkie." Fans of Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, Silly Wizard and Renaissance should find something of interest here as should fans of Celtic-based music in general. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] Pagan Muse & World
Report Magazine Review of Avalon Rising The musicians who make up this ensemble are all what I define
as artists. Ones who learn from their teachers what is expected for working their
chosen craft, but after learning the methods of the Masters of their trade, they
work to take their avocation where it has not been before, as the unique individuals
and ensemble they are. Kristoph Klover, Margaret Davis, Deirdre McCarthy, Peter Gascoyne,
and Beth Milne all fall into that category. I enjoyed the sounds of these people
so much that I made it a point to see them live at PantheaCon in February 1996. Throughout
many of their songs, these artists demonstrate how a backup instrument or vocal may
make the lead melody better. Untrained ears think this to be the mastery of the lead
sound alone, which is impressive; as a trained ear, I was left breathless more than
once. Their self-proclaimed title--a Celtic/Medieval/Rock fusionband--put me off
before I listened to this CD. I expected a mishmash of chords and misrepresented
fast ballads; fortunately, that didn't happen. A Celtic lament, "The Great Selkie,"
flows easily into a country French round, "Andray Soulet," and then to
early medieval ballads, "Contre le Tens/Toda Cousa," all capped by original
works from the artists like "God Walks Among Us." Mediterranean rhythms
mix with court language; the Irish bodhran drum takes you through the pulse ofwater,
fire, and a horse's hooves. Luckily for your heart, these transitions are in different
songs. Most oftheir melodies are conceived in "classic" style to whatever
form is being given: ballad, love song, lament, and so on. There was only one song,
"To the Sea," which I may dislike, but that was only due to the singer's
interpretation, not the song. True, they have taken some license with the medieval
and French melodies, changing some of the original note lines, but this would only
be noticed by musicians who have studied these styles. Complainers would be in the
same group that believes we shouldn't use toilets at Medieval Fairs either, because
indoor plumbing wasn't around at such. This self-titled debut recording by Avalon
Rising should be heard by any Pagan-friendly spirit. Victory Review Magazine
Review of Avalon Rising This amazing band brings together some major talents to create a mystical, spiritual experience. The cover artwork suggests a distant, perhaps magical island, and the harmonies and melodies attempt to lift us to that higher place. The songs (lyrics are included) are about magical lovers "The Great Selkie", reincarnation "Reborn", and fast-riding highwaymen. Lyrics are written in French, Spanish, and English for the Thirteenth-Century "Contre Le Temps". I loved this album. Like a rich wine or an encounter with an old flame, Avalon Rising is to be experienced more than described. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] Asterism Magazine Review
of Avalon Rising Rarely does an album open up with so beautiful a tune as "The Great Selkie," an ancient oral tradition ballad that is rendered with amazing grace and gentility by singer and harpist Margaret Davis. Her voice is redolent of popular Celtic artists Loreena McKennitt and Mgire Brennan, and floats above an inviting mtlange of modern and Medieval instrumentation. Unfortunately Davis' singing is prominent on only about half of the 10 songs, leaving the other works to be interpreted by band members who do not have the same vocal range or power. Consequently the impact of compositions like "Reborn," a wonderful fable that tells of a repeatedly reincarnated love, are weakened by the relatively inadequate crooning of the other singers. Most of the tracks on this debut disc have a mythic quality which allows even the contemporary cuts to sound antediluvian, and the collective musical talents of the band are unquestionably high. It's the voices that don't consistently maintain the same perfection, and as a result the act achieves their fantastical potential only a portion of the time. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] Galesburg Register-Mail
Article It's not often you hear the sounds of a mandola mixed with a Celtic harp and punctuated by the vibrancy of zils, congas, bones, a bodhran, tar, doumbek and riq. Now you can, and just in time for St. Patrick's Day. Margaret Davis has brought the sounds of these rather exotic and unusual instruments here. Davis, a Galesburg native now living in Oakland, Calif., has with her band Avalon Rising recently released her first compact disc recording of music which she terms a "Celtic-Medieval-rock fusion." The self-titled CD is for sale at the Galesburg Civic Art Center, 114 E. Main St., and the Prairie Peacock, 53 S. Semiaary St. Davis earned bachelor's degrees in music and French from Knox College in 1983, then moved to California that year and continued her studies in voice, harp and recorder. Shebegan performing, and met her husband, singer/songwriter Kristoph Klover, in 1989. Together they formed their band Avalon Rising in 1993 and built their own 16-track recording studio the next year. Last October, they produced the CD through their own music company, Flowinglass Music, in Oakland. The band promotes its sound as a fusion of original rock and jazz flavored by Middle Eastern, Celtic and Latin rhythms. Members also play modern arrangements of original traditional Celtic music. The band's CD includes lyrics sung by both Davis and Klover. Other members are Beth Milne, who sings and plays bass and French hon; and percussionist Deirdre McCarthy, on the Irish bodhran, congas, bones, zils, riq and bones. Davis said in a recent phone interview that the unusual and cross-cultural sound of Avalon Rising has found its niche. "I think it is a movement that's happening now -- incorporating Middle Eastern music into contemporary, original music," she said. In addition to the traditional Irish and Scottish tunes that comprise Celtic music, Avalon Rising performs songs in medieval French, and in Portuguese, and the band combines Northern European instruments with those of Middle Eastern origin to produce its sometimes haunting and sometimes high-spirited sound. "I love Celtic music. My ancestry is Scottish; my great-grandmother was from Scotland Davis said. "I just find (the music) particulary haunting and attractive." Davis said Avalon Rising performs at medieval folk festivals, in small concert halls and occasionally in pubs in California. Before Davis and Klover founded Avalon Rising, Davis performed for six years in a band playing medieval music. The sounds her band is making now are shaped by her earlier influences. "This is really our own sound," she said. "My husband does most of the writing. I do a lot of the arranging. "The CD took us a whole year. We recorded it in our own studio, and it was a complicated recording with many, many tracks." Klover was the studio engineer for the recording. Davis, who is the daughter of Rod and Norma Davis of Galesburg, returns here to visit about once a year. [ Top of page ] [ Back to Main Page ] HarpBeat Magazine: Review
of Avalon Rising Avalon Rising is Kristoph Klover, Margaret Davis (the resident
harper), Deirdre McCarthy, Peter Gascoyne, and Beth Milne (here, with special guests
Mike Pooler and Phil De Bar). This, the bandís debut recording (made in a first-class
home studio) wets the mind like Irish mist (meteorological or alcoholic). It is clear
and bright, up-front and passionate, with a fundamental seriousness (even if a good
time is obviously had by all). Best of all, the musical teamwork is superb; nobody
hogs the vocal, instrumental or compositional spotlight. (A harper may be forgiven
for especially admiring Margaretís vocals, harping and recorder work, as well as
her modern updates of medieval tunes.) [ Top of page
] [ Back to Main Page ] I just returned from a gig of Avalon Rising, a local group
I like, who do music that ranges from Celtic to rock, and home to Medieval via the
southern route. They have their first CD out ñ I am listening to it as I write these
words. It features music some of you might like: Singer Margaret Davis has style
and taste not unlike Loreena McKennittís. "...Avalon Rising (is) in the 16 CD of my current top ten. I love their work and I highly recommend their CD to anyone..." Robert d'Arkal "Playing Celtic-Medieval-rock-fusion, Avalon Rising is a shimmeringly original 4-person band. The intricate interplay...evokes a blend of Loreena McKennitt and early Grateful Dead. Recommended!" Ladyslipper Catalogue REVIEWS OF THE STARLIT JEWEL CD "Anyone who dares to put music to the 'songs' from J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings has to make us believe that people sang these songs over and over, that they were part of an oral tradition. So it makes perfect sense to write the new music 'in the tradition' of British Isles music, or even to tweak familiar tunes. Of the thirteen cuts, my favorites are the rollicking 'Troll Song' and 'Merry Old Inn,' but there are serious and lyrical pieces such as 'Galadriel's Lament.' About half of the music was written by Marion Zimmer Bradley, and the other half by Kristoph Klover (whose tenor voice works well for hobbit song) and Margaret Davis (whose clear soprano and harp playing I cannot praise enough). The overall feel of the album is light and simple, although the talents of many people, on many instruments, went into it. " Peg Healy, the folknik "Avalon Rising will be known to many
Mythcon attendees, as the group performed songs from their recording at both the
1995 and 1996 Mythcons. Half of their songs are settings written many years ago by
Marion Zimmer Bradley, and published as sheet music but rarely heard.... The other
half were composed by the band's principals, Margaret Davis and Kristoph Klover.
It's hard to to tell the difference between the composers: the songs are all well-written,
and imaginatively arranged and performed in a colorful folk-song manner. Kristoph's
lively renditions of bumptuous Hobbit songs are as enjoyable as Margaret's beautiful
'Lay of Nimrodel' and hymn to Elbereth. " David Bratman and Berni Phillips,
Mythprint "...The group plays beautifully to its strengths - effortless harmonies and deft facility in numerous traditional and modern instruments....The Starlit Jewel is a rare collection - a must for admirers of Tolkien's Middle-earth poetry and for lovers of well-played, well-sung music." Paula DiSante, Mythopoeic Society Web page Full review |
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