Louise Bichan, a fiddler, singer and storyteller from Orkney, Scotland, tours each year with an All Hallows' Eve show, which this year she recorded and released as the 13-track album Binnorie. Her third recording, Binnorie "gathers tales from the North Sea, ghost stories, murder ballads, and Samhain lore," including "folk tales and songs of trowies, sea serpents, and selkies," according to her publicity materials.

"This album is built on that time of year when we Orcadians gather to recount eerie tales and maritime folklore. Blending traditional tunes, my own compositions, and archival recordings with my live band's energy, I've tried to create something dark, haunting, atmospheric, and yet something that's an absolute joy to play," Bichan says in the release. With a pitch like that, I was of course eager to give it a try!

Binnorie tells stories appropriate to the season in both songs and spoken-word recitations from Scottish traditions. It is deeply evocative and well produced, with Bichan's fiddle providing the album with driving energy and layers of sound and style. Listeners will especially enjoy hearing her brief stories in her authentic Orcadian accent, as well as a few archival field recordings that add a sense of timelessness to the proceedings.

Bichan, who now resides in Maine, plays fiddle and other strings, sings and provides narration. She is joined on the recording by Conor Hearn (guitar, vocals), Ethan Setiawan (mandolin, mandola, bouzouki, electric tenor guitar, autoharp, vocals) and Brendan Hearn (cello, vocals), plus special guests including singers Aoife O'Donovan, Kris Drever, and Rachel Sermanni. Other guest musicians include Neil Pearlman on piano and synthesizer, Katie McNally on fiddle and strings, and Noah Fishman on double bass. Traditional melodies are accentuated with a few modern touches, including hints of American folk and bluegrass styles that flavor the sound without dominating its native Scottish flair.

Among my favorite tracks is "Mammy Scott," a tale of a weather witch and an impatient ship's captain coupled with a pair of Shetland tunes, "Da Full Rigged Ship" and "Da New Rigged Ship." Other notable tracks include "Greenwood Sidie-o," based on Child murder ballad No. 20; "Spooky Night Cat" and "The Golden Chain," both original Bichan compositions; and the stark and unadorned "Three Ravens," as well as "The Standing Stones," "Kate Crackernuts" and "Trowie Tunes," which closes the album.

Binnorie is a multifaceted recording that brings Scottish stories and songs to life for the time of year when the days grow shorter, the air grows cooler, and the veil between worlds grows thin. You should definitely consider making this an autumn tradition in your home.

[ visit Louise Bichan online ]