Zephyr In the Confetti Factory

Album Review

Laval is a former Scottish fiddle champion. Broder is a classically trained violinist and cellist who just also happens to be a virtuoso mandolin player. This isn't a folk album, however. Instead it falls into that large acoustic instrumental category, ranging from bluegrass to classical, and dipping a toe or two into Celtic waters. There's great empathy between the pair, as they weave glorious tapestries of sound, as on Broder's "Staircase." They make good fun, too, hopping around with good humor on "Levantine's Spinning' Barrel." But there's always superb playing, which flows so wonderfully it seems natural and easy. They venture into slightly darker waters when Broder hauls out her cello. "The Sorceress" glides with a slow grandeur, but "Old Man Ezric" becomes more impressionistic. Considering this is their first outing together, it's decidedly impressive. But the odds are there's much better to come if the partnership continues.