Ahstern
In Gowan Ring : Exists and Entrances -collected volumes I-IV- (2CD) (US,2007)****°
One of the few surviving true-in-heart troubadours/minstrels for me, is B’Eirth and his group project, In Gowan Ring.
These recordings are from a collected and personally recorded work between 1994 and 2003, some of them in cooperation with Michael Moynihan (Amber Asylum), Annabel Lee (Blood Axis), Markus Wolff (Waldteufel), Margie Weink (Fern Knight), Lincoln Lysager, amongst others.
Just a few songs are interpretations of others (Psychic TV, Nick Drake, ISB, a few traditionals, Vasthi Bunyan, Legendary Pink Dots, 17 Pygmies, Brian Castillo (The Living Jarboe), Rod McKuen and Fred Neil), which are not necessary recognisable. Nick Drake’s “Way To Blue” for instance became an entirely different, in fact brilliant, romantic troubadour interpretation, using more something like a kind of text interpretation into song. “Lord Of Man”, from Robin Williamson, sounds like a mixture of ritual neo-pagan theatre, and a medieval street performance, (mixed with a tiny Current 93 association here and there), recorded live with a small child-friendly public, going berserk with handclaps and foot stamps and violin once, and with enthusiastic children at some other stage. “Ring O The Rascal” on the second CD sounds like to come from the same stage and is charming to hear, like a stage entertaining song for children.
All these different song interpretations prove how well and focused B’Eirth can interpret these songs completely one with their world of expressions. Volume 1-4 had their previous, limited private cdr editions, but not all the tracks were taken from these previous editions, just 40 in total.
The songs are described in the notes to be related to the observations in nature, of the processes of the vernal and autumnal equinox. Beautiful instruments were used, and not just guitar and flutes, of which some of them, like the droning instrument on “Hazel Steps” I cannot recognize. Two tracks blur strangely and hypnotically in speed… One of the songs, sung a bit more like a traditional is based upon a text of W.B.Yeats (I wonder if the music wasn’t directly related with Yeats too?), and seemingly also a text by Gillian Darley was interpreted. While often a slight melancholy softness is touched, there’s as much celebrative strength to life and deeper values. The song collection is so well and carefully compiled for minstrel music lovers this makes this collection a must-have, which will bring repeated listening pleasure.
