Echo Land

This is a strong debut from Montréal-based Celtic trio Bùmarang (yes, the Scots Gaelic name does mean ‘Boomerang’), featuring David Gossage (flute, whistle, guitar), Kate Bevan-Baker (violins, vocals) and Sarah Pagé (harp, vocals, harmonium, bouzouki). As individuals they’ve worked with artists/entities as varied as Patrick Watson, Lhasa and Cirque du Soleil, and you can hear those wide-ranging influences on Echo Land.

The band’s contemporary take on traditional melodies (with some originals in the mix) includes both atmospheric laments and driving grooves (a good example of which is the David Gossage tune ‘Weasel’). But the unifying factor is a quality of searching and exploring. At its best it results in fresh interpretations, for example with the song ‘Single Girl’ (sourced from Cecil Sharp’s English Folk Songs from the southern Appalachians). In Bùmarang’s hands (and voices) the song becomes a wistful lament — and a lovely surprise.