Their previous release Meow was my album of the year for 2013 and Sunbox is at the same level. Hot Griselda are a loosely Belgian-based group playing a fusion of French, Irish, Dutch and other music, mostly rooted in tradition (whatever that means), and mostly on blaring woodwind. Irish and French pipes, whistles, bombarde and sax are backed by bouzouki and guitar, with the old Irish frame drum adding to the beat.
All the material on Sunbox was composed in roughly equal parts by three band members: Stijn van Beek on Irish pipes, Toon van Mierlo on Irish and French pipes, and bouzoukist Kaspar Laval who is a Low Countries gentleman - he can play the pipes, but chooses not to. The fourth member of Hot Griselda is guitarist Jeroen Geerinck, and this quartet pumps out a powerful sound akin to Flook or Sin É: comparisons with Lúnasa or Moving Hearts are also not out of place.
Totally instrumental, almost entirely acoustic, and merging influences from Brittany to Berlin via Buncrana, Hot Griselda are one of the most exciting traditional groups in Northern Europe right now. Their music is relentless, demanding, urgent, and technically superb. Listen to the definition on Djupavik, a Balkan-tinged opener which hits you between the eyes and forces you to pay attention. Feel the deep cranning on Cranes, the gut-wrenching rock guitar on Shooting Stars. Breathe in the calm relief of Katha, of Correct Me If I'm Wrong, and of Black Molly which has the hypnotic charm of iconic slow reels like The Last Pint. This CD is going on my 2018 Top Ten list for sure.
© Alex Monaghan
All the material on Sunbox was composed in roughly equal parts by three band members: Stijn van Beek on Irish pipes, Toon van Mierlo on Irish and French pipes, and bouzoukist Kaspar Laval who is a Low Countries gentleman - he can play the pipes, but chooses not to. The fourth member of Hot Griselda is guitarist Jeroen Geerinck, and this quartet pumps out a powerful sound akin to Flook or Sin É: comparisons with Lúnasa or Moving Hearts are also not out of place.
Totally instrumental, almost entirely acoustic, and merging influences from Brittany to Berlin via Buncrana, Hot Griselda are one of the most exciting traditional groups in Northern Europe right now. Their music is relentless, demanding, urgent, and technically superb. Listen to the definition on Djupavik, a Balkan-tinged opener which hits you between the eyes and forces you to pay attention. Feel the deep cranning on Cranes, the gut-wrenching rock guitar on Shooting Stars. Breathe in the calm relief of Katha, of Correct Me If I'm Wrong, and of Black Molly which has the hypnotic charm of iconic slow reels like The Last Pint. This CD is going on my 2018 Top Ten list for sure.
© Alex Monaghan
Tracklist:
1. Djúpavík
2. Sparta Schaffen
3. Royal Nord
4. Roll On / Roll Off
5. Black Molly
6. The Broken Doll
7. Christmas All Year
8. Correct Me if I’m Wrong
9. Cranes
10. Driving to Ronny’s
11. Captain Barny
12. Your Moment to Shine
Stijn Van Beek: uilleann pipes, whistles
Kaspar Laval: bouzouki, electric guitar
Jeroen Geerinck: acoustic guitar, bodhran
Toon Van Mierlo: uilleann pipes, french pipes, whistles, soprano sax, bombard
1. Djúpavík
2. Sparta Schaffen
3. Royal Nord
4. Roll On / Roll Off
5. Black Molly
6. The Broken Doll
7. Christmas All Year
8. Correct Me if I’m Wrong
9. Cranes
10. Driving to Ronny’s
11. Captain Barny
12. Your Moment to Shine
Stijn Van Beek: uilleann pipes, whistles
Kaspar Laval: bouzouki, electric guitar
Jeroen Geerinck: acoustic guitar, bodhran
Toon Van Mierlo: uilleann pipes, french pipes, whistles, soprano sax, bombard