About
About
One of Scotland’s most acclaimed pairings, Iona MacDonald and Paul Tasker excel in delivering songs which are intimate and warm, MacDonald’s honeyed voice complemented Tasker’s superb picking skills. Often compared to the likes of Sandy Denny era Fairport Convention along with other luminaries from that era, Americana UK describing them as “our version of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings” after a sold out headline show at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections festival. The duo have been playing together for 15 years, combining harmony vocals, guitars and clawhammer banjo, releasing their fourth album to widespread acclaim in November 2019. They established their reputation through the UK and Central Europe, touring on their own and as members of Robert Fisher’s ‘Willard Grant Conspiracy, have swapped songs and jammed with E-Street band member Eddie Mannion and Vinnie Lopez, and shared stages with bands from The Mavericks to Televison
The new recording ‘We are Made of Light’ is a mixture of new songs, and previously unrecorded songs collected through the 15 year history of the band. There is little posturing or mythologizing here; just a set of songs, worked up during tours in 2018 and recorded live in the studio directly after the last shows. Half of the 12 songs feature just Iona Macdonald and Paul Tasker on guitars, banjo and harmony vocals, while the addition of Paul’s schoolfriend Neil Allan on drums and strings arranged by Pete Harvey and played by the Pumpkinfield trio add extra dimension and some contrast to the intensity of the duo performances
Quotes
“Our version of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. A similar combination of a superb voice and masterful guitar” – Americana UK
Her wonderfully expressive voice is the perfect counterpart to his intricate finger-picking.” – Sunday Herald
‘We are Made of Light shines like a Beacon‘ – Folk radio UK
‘Tasker’s virtuosity and Macdonald’s wonderfully versatile voice shine through and create their own harmonious theme…a highly effective contemporary sound drawing on folk, country and americana influences. **** R2 Magazine
The track ‘Pour’ might be the best song about alcoholism since Gil Scott-Heron’s ‘The Bottle’ – Daily Express
In Iona Macdonald’s singing resides a loveliness which cannot be taught’ – Rolling Stone
‘(Paul Tasker) is one of THE guitarists of his generation” – Maverick Magazine
‘Doghouse Roses establish a bridge between folk and alt-country’ – getreadytorock.com
Something a little bit special – The list
[they] bowl along like a bunch of thirsty cowhands heading for a beer and a hoedown but revert imperceptibly to being compassionate, refined, mature and altogether wonderful. – Fatea Online Magazine