365: Volume 1 is a new double album on Reveal Records from one of Scotland’s finest musicians, fiddler and composer and member of LAU,  Aidan O’Rourke.

I usually listen to instrumental or folk music after a quiet run. I say quiet because I am an early riser and I love to be out on my fixed gear bike before sunrise. It’s usually followed by running for support fitness. And in these quiet times, nothing beats the new release of Aidan O’ Rourke’s 365 Volume 1 as ‘recovery music.’ Such is best played on huge speakers with the volume turned down. O’Rourke’s approach to music is unique. He emphasizes on clarity that draws the listener to the surface of the sound. In this recording, the fiddle becomes a paint brush of many worlds, as he paints a joyful picture of rural simplicity, and sometimes the sadness of obsolescence. It’s music for verdant and wide open spaces or quiet coffeeshops.

There are twenty two tunes in this double album, with an approximate playing time of an hour and fifteen minutes. Although his backbone is Scottish folk music, one can still notice Jazz and Classical influences especially with his command of scales, nuance and also an underlying control in the execution of these tracks. He is joined by piano/harmonium player Kit Downes giving this album both an urban and spiritual appeal. There are times when the music approaches  abstract territory like in the case of “There was once a man so old that most of his family and all friends had left.” Yes seriously that’s the title, and majority of the tracks in this double album are like that. 

A beautiful album design gives justice to the music. A remarkably stunning presence both aurally and visually around your coffee table.

WEB SITE: www.aidanorourke.net AND www.revealrecords.co.uk

Buy the album: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079YVF98P/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_sLH6AbS2Q57RH