Fergus
McCreadie’s The Shieling is a masterclass in immersive storytelling through jazz, a record
that demands to be experienced as a single, unfolding journey. Across its
tracks, the Scottish pianist and his trio craft a soundscape that ebbs and
flows, combining the lyricism of folk-inspired melodies with the restless
energy of contemporary jazz.
From the outset, McCreadie’s piano leads with a clarity that is both delicate and precise, supported by David Bowden’s lyrical double bass and Stephen Henderson’s responsive, dynamic drumming. The album moves seamlessly from one piece to the next, each track an extension of the last rather than a stand alone moment.
A standout moment comes on Lily Bay, where
McCreadie captures the movement of the ocean — delicate yet powerful,
ever-moving — translating its rhythm and swell into a piano line that feels
organic and alive. Elsewhere, tracks like Wayfinder and Climb Through
Pinewood balance spaciousness with momentum, drawing the listener into the
trio’s intimate dialogue and the sense of place that pervades the album.
What makes The Shieling particularly compelling
is its sense of cohesion. It is an album that breathes, a narrative that flows
as naturally as the landscapes it evokes. Here, McCreadie’s Scottish heritage
subtly colours the improvisations, adding both warmth and tension, while the
trio’s interplay creates a sense of exploration — a journey that feels
simultaneously personal and universal. It is at times broad and cinematic and
at others close and personal.
Presented with understated elegance and performed with
the utmost sensitivity, The Shieling is not just a collection of
compositions; it is an environment, a space to inhabit, and a reflection on
movement, place, and the passage of time. For listeners who allow themselves to
be swept along with its currents, it is an utterly rewarding experience. Glenn Wright
Wayfinder; Sparrowsong; Lily Bay; Climb Through Pinewood; Fairfield; The Path Forks; Windshelter; Eagle Hunt; Ptarmigan; The Orange Skyline
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