Schryer is a versatile fiddler from Ontario, with a large dose of excellent in the French Canadian perciussive skill of podorythmie. Gray is a guitarist, flautist and singer from south west Scotland. Although they've known one another for many years, this is the first time they've toured together. And it looked like a lot of fun for them both.
The first half gave us a strong international flavour, with tunes from France, Canada, Ireland and Scotland, some old, some new, plus a couple of Ayrshire songs, in Lallans, from Gray. And a mix of sensitivity and speed from the playing of both parties. The fiddler dazzles with imagination and variety in his play, the guitarist matching him with deceptively simple accompaniments and surprise moments.
The quality was increased by the third member of the act, who put in a few appearances for appropriate tunes. Danielle Emblom is a Minnesotan step dancer who brings joy to her performance and another layer of percussive accompaniment to the sets. It's just a shame that, in the Traverse bar, only the first couple of rows were able to observe her flying footwork. But the sheer energy and accomplishment of her dancing was obvious to all.
The second set brought further international influences, with a Middle Eastern tune to open, and a Brazilian towards the end. The pace of all three performers increased as things went on, and when they audience called for an encore this one was heartfelt. It helped that both Pierre and Sean are entertaining speakers, give interesting introductions to their material, and frequently fire off one another.
A glorious evening.
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