OK Pewter by Mabon

Add to the musical equation a fabulously funky bassist, an excellent drummer, an expressive and exceptional fiddler in Oli Wilson-Dickson and supplement it with the impressive guitar work of Derek Smith, the fine flute playing of Calum Stewart, nifty bodhran playing of Will Lang, and sterling bouzouki work of Adam Rhodes and the result … arguably the most rounded and consistently satisfying collection of folk music to emerge from Wales in some time.

Sean McGhee

OK Pewter album review by Buzz Magazine, May 2007.

Welsh folk outfit Mabon’s second effort is a remarkable piece of craftsmanship, especially so as every song has been penned by 23-year-old Jamie Smith. This young man’s musical insight and maturity is quite astonishing, considering his lack of years. Traditional folk is given a contemporary edge with the occasional wry outlook, pastoral harmonies and playful melodies. The Gaelic flavour of A Hungarian in Brittany is quite charming also. This will have you intoxicated and enthralled. 4/5 stars

ABOUT MABON:

Mabon is the Celtic music of accordionist Jamie Smith brought to life through the energetic performances and breathtaking playing of some of the best musicians in the folk scene today.

Mabon has recently expanded into a seven-piece band, introducing flute (Calum Stewart - Young Scottish Musician of the Year 2007 Finalist) and bodhran (Will Lang – BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards Finalist 2005) to a line-up comprising fiddle (Oli Wilson-Dickson – Newfolks, Szapora!), accordion, acoustic guitar, drums and bass. The result is a unique and invigorating take on Celtic music – a big stage sound and performance that firmly retains the essence of the traditional music, with the ability to both raise the roof off the festival dance house and keep the concert hall crowd glued to their seats.

With the new line-up comes a new album. Recorded in Mabon’s homeland of Wales, OK Pewter is an outstanding achievement in folk music that promises to be an important release in the genre. The album has already earned the group appearances at top festivals including Cambridge and Sidmouth and will be available in stores and online from spring 2007.

Mabon's musical roots lie deeply in the traditional music of its Celtic heritage, which provides the inspiration and the foundation for talented accordionist/composer Jamie Smith's original brand of new interceltic music. Whereas many contemporary folk groups endeavour to push forward the boundaries, Mabon simply ignore them, creating music purely for music's sake and in a manner that not only pleases themselves, but all who watch them play.

www.mabon.org

www.myspace.com/mabonband

Average Customer Review: 5