2

If you have heard their stunning debut album ,then this 2nd offering follows on in much the same vein. The 5 piece band have produced a second album combining generally slow tunes, mostly their adaptation of traditional Irish songs with which I am not familiar, or old poems as lyrics as a starting point. The pace is often fairly funereal , the vocals by Iarla O Lionaird are carefully measured and sung in gaelic, so I have not got a clue what he is singing about, but it sounds moody and magnificent, with a very stylised delivery. Add to the mix stately classical influenced piano from Thomas Bartlett, guitar from Dennis Cahill, fiddle from Martin Hayes and Hardanger d'Amore from Caoimhin O Raghhallaigh and you have a rich melodramatic evocative mixture, unlike anything else around, this certainly stands out from the crowd as being distinctively different. It creates a somewhat sombre, relaxing but intense serious mood piece that hangs together beautifully. The playing and singing is of a high standard from master musicians, it is excellently produced, and released on the Real World label. It is something very special to immerse yourself in, and deserves your undivided attention, it is far too good to be background music . The dozen tracks glide by creating a sense of spiritual calm, a very special atmospheric ensemble piece that is truly memorable.

I'm not really a folk music person, but they were mentioned by Verity Sharp on radio 3, and I bought the first album on the strength of her recommendation. Thank you, Verity. The second album is so beautiful, so moving, so joyful. it's just stunning musicianship and goes beyond classification.

As per the title, the musicians who produced this work are (in my opinion) beyond reproach - they've made Irish/Celtic folk of epic/cinematic proportions and in a way that is accessible to all (even those without a fluid ounce of Celtic blood), so there's nothing to criticise there. The problem that I have comes from the vinyl experience. I knew, before buying this record, that it was going to need to be played loudly (i.e. with the amplifier at high volume) and that this would only increase the 'floor noise' from the vinyl. However, both vinyls arrived sealed, but full of grit, which I could actually feel when I placed my finger lightly on the spinning turntable. Worse still, the records wouldn't even go on (said) turntable until I had filed out the spindle holes on both, as they were both too tight to fit over it! For all I know, these vinyl platters have been hand-crafted in a cowshed, in keeping with the generally rustic vibe of the whole 'Gloaming' experience, but I really think that quality control needs to be much better for a recording like this, where sound quality is everything. Honestly, I would have sent this scratchy pair of records back, where it not for the fact that I had already downloaded the MP3 files (for which I would have to pay a pretty penny) and also because I own a record-washing machine (where this gritty little sucker is going, first thing tomorrow)! Don't let my review put you off the CD/Download though, as music like this is a rare and beautiful thing.

That I am coming back to acoustic music is down to bands like The Gloaming who have managed to breathe so much freshness and originality into their work, despite the fact that much of the material here is quite ancient re-works. This does not fit neatly into any narrow genre, but rather will be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys beautifully crafted, played and recorded music. The cover is also a wonderful work of art!

An emerging light from Scotland. Haunting, beautiful songs and music to follow the weather and glens. Definitely worth every track to be put on repeat

long awaited follow up album, well worth the wait. Superb in every respect. I'm not a musician, but nontheless an avid music fan.

Martin Hayes is a genius - I don't know of any other fiddle player who lifts music to such a metaphysical level.

This review is of the vinyl version of 2 by The Gloaming I loved the first album by The Gloaming and once I realised they had released a second I bought it without hearing a single note in advance. I guess I would have been taken aback if they had changed direction and moved away from the deeply absorbing, largely instrumental, fiddle-led folk sound but as expected they have not: if it ain't broke, don't fix it. If you have the first album then you can expect more of the same. The muted tones of the sleeve art, the haunting longing or the Gaelic vocals (Casadh an tSúgáin is a standout) here and the virtuoso musicianship are all present again. The vinyl is a beautifully quiet pressing. This hour-long album is spread over two discs and the instruments sound sharp and clear on my Rega Planar 3 turntable. Individual notes are audible and the hour simply flies by. I only have the first album on CD but I may have to track downa vinyl copy if it sounds as good as this one.

dans la continuité de ceux qu'a pu nous faire Iarla o Lionaird, un bon moment a passé, produit par Relworld Records

I liked the first CD, but I also had reservations about it, since it seemed a little too forced. This one, however, throws all my reservations into the gutter. This is great music - imaginative, daring, and it pulls me in. Buy this CD!

Cosa altro si può dire di un simile album se non che ripete il miracolo espressivo della perla precedente, se non che siamo davanti all'ennesima prova sublime ad opera di musicisti sublimi. Non spostano il tiro i Gloaming, il bersaglio e sempre quello, la mira ancora impeccabile. La tradizione folk riletta con piglio neoclassico e con gusto cameristico ma senza dimenticare una sensibilità contemporanea grazie a un sapiente e misurato uso di atmosfere proto ambient. Quello che colpisce di questo album al pari del suo predecessore è l'intensità delle atmosfere create, quel senso evocativo, cinematografico che traspare in ogni composizione. In lavori come questo citare singoli brani non ha davvero senso... questi brani sembrano davvero movimenti di un'unica suite, c'è una linearità davvero sorprendente e fatichi ad immaginare questi pezzi in una sequenza diversa da quella che ci viene offerta. Avverti davvero la cura del dettaglio in questo lavoro. Io sono un grande ammiratore della scena folk anglosassone e apprezzo ogni tentativo lecito di mantenerla viva. Quello messo in atto dai Gloaming è senza dubbio uno dei mezzi più affascinanti che mi sia capitato di ascoltare in questi ultimi anni.

Beautiful music by very talented musicans.

Maravillosa música, la llamada de la tierra, la sensibilidad del pueblo irlandés. Evolución sin dejar de sonar alo de siempre.