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The Duhks
Migrations
(Sugar Hill)
First Appeared in The Music Box, September 2006, Volume 13, #9
Written by John Metzger
If The Duhks’ first two outings (Your Daughters & Your Sons
and The Duhks) served to establish a solid foundation from which the
group could work, then its latest endeavor Migrations begins its
realization of a much greater vision. Throughout the album, the band’s eclectic
tendencies remain wholly intact, and its remarkably deft ability at integrating
a diverse array of styles is exuberantly on display as it jumps from whirling,
zydeco-imbued romps (Down to the River) to rousing spirituals (Moses
Don’t Get Lost) to Celtic-tinged folk (Three Fishers). Instead of
concocting miniature suites to demonstrate its prowess, however, the ensemble
viewed Migrations itself as its palette. Consequently, Migrations,
which was fashioned under the guiding hand of newgrass legend Tim O’Brien, is
more accomplished and sharply focused than its predecessors.
Although The Duhks’ own songwriting still lags behind its instrumental
virtuosity, the group at least has the wherewithal to complete its thoughts with
some well-chosen cover material. This time, each selection fits perfectly within
the thematic framework of Migrations while continuing to allow the band
to cast a wide, textural net with its music. In particular, the opening salvo —
which runs from Sean Byrne and Scott McCarthy’s blues-y Ol’ Cook Pot to
Tracy Chapman’s soulful Mountains O’ Things to Katie Herzig’s weary
Heaven’s My Home — is powerfully poignant as the band ponders materialism
and religion from the perspective of the working class. The remainder of the set
doesn’t pack as nearly tremendous of a punch, but throughout Migrations,
there’s no denying The Duhks’ maturity and growth.  ½
Migrations is available from Amazon.com.
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Ratings
1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!
Copyright © 2006 The Music Box
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