Jamie Smith’s Mabon, known for accordion maestro Smith’s outstanding InterCeltic tunes, is adding songs to its excitingly upbeat repertoire. Whipping up a storm, the crisp new 10-track studio album Windblown is due out October 29, toasting the autumn season and sun-waning days of the equinox and celebrating the Welsh band’s own Pagan festival name. (Mabon = autumn equinox).
Following on from the award-winning Live at the Grand Pavilion album, this is a “coming of age” release from a young band of virtuoso musicians spearheaded by the ever inventive Jamie Smith – a vivid tapestry of sound , crackling like an autumn bonfire, blazing like autumn leaves.
JSM, described by The Independent as “a mighty instrumental force” unveil original harmony-rich songs with Smith taking the lead vocal – four tracks including the tongue- in- cheek Yes We Sing Now, the poignant Summer’s Lament featuring the exquisite violin of Oli Wilson-Dickson and the haunting stand out track Caru Pum Merch (Loving Five Girls) – their first song sung in Welsh.
JSM set out to showcase “Windblown” on their UK autumn tour between October 19-December 5 – visiting Stroud, Exeter, Narberth, Cardiff, Worcester, London, Bristol, Fareham, New Milton, Gateshead and Hereford. Full Dates here
JSM are frontman Jamie Smith (accordion); Oliver Wilson-Dickson (violin), Adam Rhodes (bouzouki), Iolo Whelan (drums) Matt Downer (bass) and Tomas Callister (fiddle and tenor banjo)
Guest musicians on album: Calum Stewart (flute), Will Lang (bodhran) and Dylan Fowler (acoustic guitar, lap steel)
Free Track: Lady of the Woods
Download the vocal track Lady of the Woods for free here.
