Now - time for my Mozaik review!

I did not pre-order the CD because the gap was only 15 days between the official release date and Andy's and Rens' concert. So I decided to buy the CD at the concert which meant a larger benefit to Andy. Unfortunately I could not resist reading you review before listening to it. Thus my expectations were a little bit canalized... Anyway, I try to ignore what I had read by you and give 0 to 15 points on each track:

1 A Blacksmith Courted Me/Blacksmithereens
Brilliant! I hoped for it and finally it appeared: Bruce's banjo. Already one of my Planxty favourites with beautiful piping by Liam O'Flynn, but this version equals it. 14 points.

2 My heart's tonight... & Tunes
The song's strong point were its lyrics. I found the melody and chords rather insignificant. This does not change with Mozaik but the tunes fit very well and make it a much higher enjoyment. 11 points.

3 Suleman's Kopanitsa
This is pure joy listening to it via headphones and turning it loud! It makes me want to embrace the whole world. You can feel the neighbourhood to Greece. The two bouzoukis play the melody line in thirds which sounds like the playing of Greek bouzoukis. The change of the key at the end gives the piece an even more exciting and amazing touch. At least 15 points!

4 The Rocky Road to Dublin / Indian ate the woodchuck
I haven't discovered the melody of the wellknown Irish version in the Apalachian version - thank God... I love old-time fiddling and this tells me why. The second one, though played in a traditional Irish style, is so healthily different from the usual Irish session reels. A masterpiece of arranging a tune! Another 15 points!

5 Romanian Hora/Black Jack Grove
It begins in a style which is near to Klezmer. Lovely melody and harmonies and an even metrum! Unfortunately the second tune is a little weaker but still saves the whole set 13 points.

6 Sandansko Oro / Mechkin Kamen
I was highly excited particularly about this track because of your review! The tune is of really incredible beauty. When it turned into the song I was disappointed at first: one more "recycled" piece (I had not expected this because on "East Wind" it carried the English title). Anyway, Andy's voice and the very warm string and gaida arrangement sting directly into my soul and let the former version sung by Marta appear as a failure. 14 points

7 Pony Boy / Never tire of the road
They should have let the two pieces separated. The pony is one more superb old time fiddle duet and deserves 14 points itself. Although it shows similarities in rhythm and mood it still is in a different key and tempo to the song. The link between is really crap! The song itself is the best version of it I've ever heard. How much more lovely do these fiddles sound compared with the Rude Awakening version! You feel how much the musicians enjoyed playing this song. 13 points for the song (which had not achieved more than 11 before), and 13 points for the set as a whole.

8 Field Holler Medley
I would have liked Bruce to sing a tone higher so that the a-capella part and Piney Woods would have been in the same key. Again a less successful link. But there is nothing more to criticize. Again most enjoyable and deserving 14 points.

9 Baneasa's.../Daichevo
The most disappointing piece on the album. It is still a great song but it was not necessary because it doesn't reach earlier standards. The gadulka bothers me here. Unless Andy's singing is not accompanied by only one bouzouki, I would have preferred a lamenting whistle or pipes or accordeon (if it had been available) or the famous harmonium from the Planxty version (which in my opinion is still the best). On the other hand, the horo is brilliant and was well worth a re-recording if you compare it with "Rain on the roof". 13 points

10 Smeseno Horo
Still a great piece but no longer a sensation and by far not as good as on "After the break" with the heartbreaking pipes. Two more disadvantages: First - the most beautiful part is only played once. Second: I don't like the second chord in the third part (the part beginning with four a notes). The chords in that bar should be D until 8, F on 9 and G on 12. Difficult voting. 14 points because the tune is so brilliant itself.

11 The Last Dance
Something completely different. Nice but too long and exhausting. Can bring you down after so much joy. 10 points

To conclude: "Live at the Powerhouse" is indeed one of the best recordings ever. It combines four or five different styles of music, all played with great skill and devotion. I always ask myself how Bruce Molsky feels about the Balkan stuff. He seems to be the only one who might have a problem in the band. Hopefully I'm wrong. But why on Earth does a band for whose members it is so difficult to meet waste such a chance?! What I mean is: they recorded two entire concerts but only managed to get 62 minutes on the CD? There would have been space for at least three more tracks. On the other hand it is evident that Mozaik is Andy's project and Andy is the boss - I would have liked more unknown stuff contributed by the others. So let's hope the album will become such a huge success that the musicians will constitute plans for forthcoming tours, time for rehearsals and new arrangements and a follow-up album not too far into the future!

All the best to you!
Yours, Peter