Decemberwell

An ambitious challenge was the impetus for Mike Vass’ new album. He aimed to compose and record it in just one month: December 2011. With all instruments played by Vass he decided to extend the challenge by inventing a new guitar tuning (DECEBE) for the project; utilising it for the hauntingly effective opener ‘Wintro’. What follows is an eclectic and musically stimulating album.

Musically, there is little to fault here; Vass is a talented composer. Although beautifully played and produced not all of the tracks, at least in terms of inspiration, stand up to much scrutiny. Many refer to the weather or the rather mundane traditions of the Christmas season; the playful ‘Lights’ for example was inspired by the switching on of Christmas lights whilst ‘Melter’, a sprightly and colourful jig, takes as its subject a sudden snow thaw. A deeper and perhaps more considered response to the winter month may have produced a more moving and layered piece. For example, one of the album's highlights, ‘Hallan’, written on the morning of the Solstice, links both past and present in a darkly atmospheric affair inspired by the archaeological site on South Uist. All this considered though, Decemberwell is a beautiful and atmospheric recording by one of Scotland's finest young fiddlers; winter doesn't seem so cold in its company.