Dialogues

South Korea-born cellist Su-a Lee celebrates her 30 years of musical experience with her beguiling and exquisite debut solo album Dialogues. The album aims, as Su-a Lee notes, to celebrate ‘decades of folk music friendships,’ and consequently features an impressive guestlist including Karine Polwart, Julie Fowlis, Phil Cunningham and Duncan Chisholm, among many others.

It is a beautifully reflective and considered listen, with a playful touch of theatre too. Comprising of 15 tracks and divided into three acts (‘The Setup’, ‘The Development’, and ‘The Resolution’) each, bar the final track, feature Su-a Lee in a duet. From the ‘Baroque Suite’, with Donald Shaw, through ‘Paths’ with Hamish Napier, and ‘The Witch of Leanachan’ featuring Donald Grant, the album weaves a magical journey through classical and traditional influences to conjure a genuinely mesmerising listen. The album closes with a beautifully intimate version of ‘Ae Fond Kiss’, which focuses solely on Su-a Lee's cello. It is a splendidly elegant and heartfelt conclusion to a superb album. Indeed, throughout, Su-a Lee's cello provides the album's heart and is a thrilling, accomplished, and spirited sound. Dialogues is an enthralling release, celebrating the friendships born from musical collaboration. A joyous and exhilarating listen.