WVA Occasional July 95
The Plaid Family isn't a family. Consisting of Kelly Werts on fiddle, guitar, penny whistle, spoons (not at the same time, of course), Diana Werts on accordion, Princess Harris on hammered dulcimer, the Plaid Family produces music that is a prairie kind of tradition since that is their roots. "The Flying Book" departs from the focus of their other two albums which were regionally-oriented songs of the prairie. This new album incorporates traditional songs of England, Wales and a couple American traditional songs as well as original compositions of Werts and Harris. The interesting twist, though, is that even then the prairie can be heard in these cuts. Nevertheless, this newest album is just plain good, quiet listening, easy on the ears and soul.
The Plaids begin with a medley interestingly titled "Opera" that combines one traditional English tune, "Opera Reel," with two of Werts' compositions, "Shoebuckle" and "Irwin's Breakdown." The three tunes are so nicely and tightly performed that the originals sound every bit as traditional as the English traditional tune.
The second tune is "Angeline the Baker," a traditional tune accredited to Stephen Foster although it is believed he borrowed the tune himself. The arrangement of this tune is just slightly less lengthy than the three-song medley that precedes it. It is well-performed for the most part, although it sags a bit in the middle.
"Quantrill" is one of Werts' own, a musical tribute to a "border ruffian" who in 1862 ravaged Lawrence, Kansas, leaving in his wake a legacy burned into Kansas history. This jig successfully acquires an old-timey sound.
The hammered dulcimer is a difficult instrument to play well slowly, but Princess Harris does a masterful job on a traditional English tune, "The Shepherd's Wife." The piece begins with a classy twin-guitar intro and then incorporates the rest of the band in varied combinations.
A second medley on this album, "Mummers", is a trio of traditional English tunes, "Symondsbury Mummers March/Riding On a Load of Hay/ Morpeth Rant." Although the instrumentation is a mix of guitar, penny whistle, hammered dulcimer and accordion, there is no major instrument as all of them mix well together. The result is a very listenable tune.
The title cut, "The Flying Book," is an original tune by Werts and performed by him on guitar. This song is a showcase for Werts' performing skill as well as his compositional talent.
Princess Harris cut her performing teeth by performing on the carpenter's porch at Cowtown in Wichita, Kansas. "On the Carpenter's Porch," written and performed by her, is a hammered dulcimer number that honors that musical beginning in her life.
"Rain Dreams" is another of Harris' compositions for hammered dulcimer. It is as the title indicates, random, soothing, mesmerizing. There's not a lot of excitement in this cut but there is excellent music. It is in competition with several other cuts for my favorite.
This album is well performed and produced. Although those uninitiated to folk genre might dismiss this album without giving it due credit, folks who know and enjoy old-time and traditional music will consider this a keeper. Even with the original pieces, the album is true to a folk heritage.