Fergus McCreadie Trio: The Shieling

After four thoughtfully crafted releases, the Fergus McCreadie Trio adopted an entirely different approach for their fifth album. They journeyed to the Isle of Skye, took the ferry to North Uist in the Scottish Outer Hebrides and spent five days recording The Shieling in a remote cottage. Whoever was responsible for transporting McCreadie's piano to this isolated location certainly deserves recognition for their efforts.

A shieling is the Gaelic word for a simple dwelling, typically constructed of stone and turf, that was occupied during summer pasture seasons and has inspired several traditional Scottish love songs. This historical context, combined with the remote recording location and the resulting sense of expansiveness, has given the album a more contemplative and lyrical quality than their previous releases. The album was produced by British trumpeter Laura Jurd, who also made the journey to the island.

The trio's combination of piano trio jazz, heavily influenced by Scottish folk tunes, has given them a distinctive sound that has garnered numerous awards. Their style is perfectly encapsulated in the album's opening track, "Wayfinder." The piece begins with a haunting drone that leads into a repeating piano motif, brisk and distinctly folky; bassist David Bowden and drummer Stephen Henderson drive the music forward before McCreadie moves into a flowing improvisation as the trio create a captivating blend of jazz and Scottish folk traditions.

The trio's deep roots in folk textures come to the fore in "Climb Through Pinewood." With its dance-tune feel, the track radiates the cheerfulness of a spring morning as it sways and lilts through an uplifting melody. In a similar vein, "Ptarmigan" also begins with a light dance melody but builds to a faster section where McCreadie's rapid piano improvisation particularly impresses. His ability to vary expression and navigate transitions in his playing, coupled with the rhythm section's versatile shadings, demonstrates how completely in sync these performers have become.

"Fairfield," a tune tried and tested live, unfolds gently; the rolling melody and classy improvisation unfold from right-hand runs as the trio gently build, then withdraw, giving the impression of movement. "Eagle Hunt" is another piece with the sense of a journey and narrative and is enhanced by Henderson's creative drumming, while "Windshelter" has bass and piano weaving elegantly together before McCreadie's long, flowing run.

It is difficult to stand out in the crowded piano trio field, but they have forged a distinct identity and cross-genre appeal; a track from their previous release, Stream (Edition Records, 2024), even found its way into a Spike Lee film. The album marks a shift in approach from McCreadie and his trio, yet maintains their ability to flawlessly mix jazz and folk expression. Transporting everything to a remote island cottage may seem unusual, but it has paid dividends, as the recording beautifully captures the wild landscape surrounding them.

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