Breezes from an evergreen band

A Celtic Breeze in the Antipodes
Sirocco
Jara Hill Records through Larrikin
Available on cassette and CD

The Evergreen Realm
Sirocco
Jara Hill Records through Larrikin
Available on Cassette and CD
Reviewed by Ian Jamieson

For many, Sirocco over the past 13 years has been the Australian standard-bearer within the widening scope and diversity of the "folk" scene. The release of A Celtic Breeze in the Antipodes is a welcome tribute to this dynamic band from NSW.

Drawing inspiration from the huge range of cultures in Australia, Sirocco has established a firm beachhead in traditional music styles. In doing so it has drawn many musicians in its wake since the original band was formed in 1980.

Celtic Breeze, a compilation of the tracks taken from Sirocco's first two albums Earth Dance and Paths of the Wind, reflects the variety of musical heritage in Australia. From indigenous music, which is gaining belated recognition, to music from the four corners of Europe, from Arab and Turkish cultures and the music of South America, all are represented in Sirocco's early offerings.

Underlying the music of Sirocco is a tribute to the bedrock of European-Australian culture, Celtic music with a dash of Anglo tradition. Sirocco have taken threads of these influences to weave a tapestry of music that has a broad appeal. Sirocco's blend is rich in its understanding and empathy. They manage to avoid the main pitfall of creating a cross-cultural mix of style — a bland potpourri that could weaken interest. Sirocco has created a unique style that is immediately warm and refreshing.

A strong factor in the band's appeal is their ability to use traditional acoustic instruments to build mood, rhythm and timbre. From a variety of strings, woodwind and percussion, the blend leads to exciting dances, Australian bush ballads and cameos from different countries.

The Evergreen Realm has led Sirocco into new fields that were hinted at in their previous albums. In this CD, Sirocco have emerged as serious tune-smiths as well as talented arrangers.

Incorporating synthesisers and digital technology, they have created a musical poem for Australia's remaining rainforests. recorded live in Sydney's Royal Botanical gardens, The Evergreen Realm departs from traditional folk.

Appearing with Sirocco is the brilliant Chinese flautist Chai Chang Ning. His bamboo flute, the xuan, gives great weight to The Evergreen Realm and it is refreshing to experience an Asian influence on the folk scene. It's to be hoped this will lead to a broadening of traditional folk repertoire, tapping a vast cultural area which has been left largely untouched by Australian musicians. Traditionalists may find the reliance on electronic instrumentation and arrangement not to their liking, but Sirocco's musical descriptions of life in the rainforests allow for new experiments in music. The Evergreen Realm shows that folk music is not a dead art form but alive to change and capable of vibrancy and colour.

Sirocco have often represented this country overseas as cultural ambassadors, taking with them the music of the many and varied communities that they have explored and popularised. The release of two albums allows a good understanding of the music of Sirocco and reflects their transitions over the years.

While the band's line-up may have changed over the years, the boldness and challenges they meet have not. So give yourselves a treat and become part of their musical explorations.