The one and only Poitín are back with new ear candy Simple Pleasures. (Review by Steve Behrens of 67Music)
The award-winning sextet from the Czech Republic, (celebrating their 20th year as a band) return strong with thirteen more traditional music tracks, with some of their own arrangements and showcasing their original sound and instrumentation. We say that because the six members of the band, Sasha Marešová (whistles, flutes), Tomas Pergler (concertina, whistles), Jan Brabec (bouzouki, banjo, vocals), Jakub Siegl (guitar, vocals), Jeremy King (bodhran, spoons, vocals) and Jaroslav ‘Oto’ Macháček (fiddle) have a way of taking traditional instruments and melding arrangements into a uniquely identifiable Poitín sound. Former member Helena Marková returns to spice things up with saxophone as well. Yes, we said sax. (Hey, this is Poitín after all!)
Simple Pleasures is their sixth studio recording (released September 2016) and kicks off spritely with the song The Jolly Beggarman, then continues with an energetic Brendan’s Reels. With a lovely mix of Irish, English and Scottish songs, jigs and reels, this is yet another well-recorded and mixed album from the band. The instrumentation is full and the mix is perfect. Everyone’s instrument sounds fantastic, as do the vocals.
You’ll hear songs and tunes such as Spencer The Rover, Reynardine, a playful tune Tired By Kids, a truly beautiful Last Beautiful Loneliness and much more. The band closes the album with a jolly and aptly titled tune, Twenty Candles on Poitín’s Cake.
All told, after listening to Simple Pleasures, you’ll genuinely feel as though you’ve spent a grand seisiún with the band at Zach’s Pub in Pilsen.
Get your copy of Simple Pleasures at a variety of sources: iTunes, cdbaby, Amazon, Bandcamp, Google Play