The album opens with “WWF”, a lively medley of fiddle tunes inspired by a weekend at a lakeside cottage with friends. The picture is easy to imagine: a house full of people, instruments coming out, music being played all day, and everyone finding a place to sleep. It’s a cheerful way to begin the record and sets the mood for much of what follows. “Ian in Between” / “No Best Before” is a two-tune set Anne Lederman wrote for Ian Bell, her music partner for many years, for his 50th birthday. Bell is a master songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, storyteller, and artist. He also created Anne’s woodcut and designed the album artwork. The first tune brings together piano and fiddle in a lovely waltz, while the second picks up the pace with a more energetic fiddle performance. The title track also has a special story. Part of a jig medley with “Anne the Septuagenarian” and “Brian the Tunesmith”, “In the Kitchen Again” celebrates the kitchen as a favorite place for musicians to gather, play tunes, and spend time together.
Personal connections continue with “Mandala for Oliver” and “Greetings to Anne Lederman”, a musical exchange between Lederman and the late fiddler Oliver Schroer. The album also pays tribute to friends and fellow musicians with “Piping Pat” and “Sueprise”, each written with a particular person in mind. One of the album’s most touching moments comes with “Angan Waltz”. The piano and guitar give the fiddle room to shine, and the performance has a beautiful sadness that stays with you. “Miles’ Frustration” and “Restless Mind” add more character to the collection, while “Spirit Horse Jig” brings together several fiddles in a piece written for the stage production of the same name.
The darker side of traditional folklore appears in “Dare the Devil” and “New Calico Waltz” / “Muskeg Muck”. Both draw on old fiddle traditions and stories about the devil. The latter also brings in the kalimba’s musical influence, an instrument Lederman learned from Cameroonian musician Njacko Backo. Her voice gets a lovely moment on “For a Girl”, a tender wordless ballad written for a family member. “Climate Change ABC” follows with updated words to an old alphabet melody, before “The Job of Journeywork” brings the collection to a close with an Irish hornpipe. I especially enjoyed the personal stories behind these compositions and the contrast between the lively jigs and the more emotional pieces. “Angan Waltz” was a particular favorite of mine, and I appreciated the quieter moments as much as the faster fiddle tunes.
“In the Kitchen Again” is a wonderful introduction to Anne Lederman’s work and a record worth spending time with. Follow Anne on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube to keep up with her music and upcoming performances. You can also find her on Bandcamp and explore more of her recordings. If you enjoy Canadian folk music, traditional fiddle playing, and instrumental compositions with interesting stories behind them, give this album a listen and add your favorite tunes to your playlist. It’s also worth sharing with friends who appreciate folk music and musicians who have spent a lifetime keeping these traditions alive. There is plenty to enjoy here, and Anne Lederman deserves a place on more people’s listening lists.
