Grounded

Originally due to be released as The Spell of Winter in December 2020, COVID-19 lockdowns have forced a much later release as well as a new title for the eighth album from this lauded German-based Celtic folk band. Taking their name from the Gaelic word for friend, Cara was founded 18 years ago by Gudrun Walther (vocals, fiddle, viola, diatonic accordion), Hendrik Morgenbrodt (uilleann pipes, flute, whistles), Jürgen Treyz (guitars, dobro, banjo, bass, vocals), and Scottish singer-songwriter Kim Edgar (vocals, grand piano).

The 12 tunes on this album come from a startlingly diverse range of sources. It’s a measure of their musicianship and love for the different strands of the tradition that they can so adroitly blend songs from Robert Burns (‘Lassie, Lie Near Me’) and Bob Dylan (‘Lay Down Your Weary Tune’) with an old island working song (‘The Cockle Gatherer’) and newly-written numbers such as the thoughtful ‘The Spell of Winter’ as well as the lively jigs and reels to be found throughout this impressive collection.