Reviewer: Lahri Bond, Dirty Linen Magazine
Laval has paired with the perfect musical partner in mandolin and cello virtuoso Ashley Broder. Though the album is named Zephyr in the Confetti Factory, it could have easily been called Kids in a Musical Candy Store, judging by the amount of fun these two are obviously having together. Their interplay (stress on “play”) is both empathic and daring. They weave around time signatures — and each other’s playing — like two highwire acrobats. The interchange between fiddle and mandolin on Irish tunes “Paddy on the Railroad/Jenny Picking Cockels/The Boys of Malin” is dexterous and highly inventive, while the quasi-classical “Staircase” approaches the avant-garde shadings of the Kronos String Quartet.


Reviewer: iTunes
Laval is a former Scottish fiddle champion. Broder is a classically trained violinist and cellist who just also happens to be a virtuoso mandolin player. There's great empathy between the pair as they weave glorious tapestries of sound, as on Broder's "Staircase". They make good fun, too, hopping around with good humor on "Levantine's Spinning Barrel". But there's always superb playing, which flows so wonderfully it seems natural and easy. They venture into slightly darker waters when Broder hauls out her cello. "The Sorceress" glides witha slow grandeur, but "Old Man Elzic" becomes more impressionistic. Consdiering this is their first outing together, it's decidedly impressive.


Reviewer: Teresa Hogue, A&E editor, Albany Press-Democrat
Their new CD, “Zephyr in the Confetti Factory,” sweeps through like a bright spring wind with a serious kick to it, leaving a sparkling trail in its wake. Their magical partnership has provided audiences with fabulously intimate yet powerful performances, which have been captured on “Zephyr.” While the duo has a solid hold on traditional Celtic music, they’re not afraid to veer off into some delightfully new directions. Joyously gathering speed through the set of three reels that blend seamlessly together, “Paddy, Jenny and the Boys”, ends with the listener breathless from dancing in her seat.


Reviewer: Darol Anger, master fiddler of Republic of Strings and Turtle Island String Quartet
This new CD is wonderful, beautiful, interesting (I mean that in the best possible way!). I keep rewinding to hear some favorite part.


Reviewer: Celtic MP3s Music Magazine
Ahh, innovation! Taking traditional fiddle music and exploring it a bit is what Zephyr in the Confetti Factory is all about. The recent pairing of these two musicians is a celebration of style and talent. The technique itself is plenty to enjoy from these master musicians, made more interesting by their willingness to explore a bit and play outside the "box." Not too experimental, but pushing boundaries this CD is as interesting as it is enjoyable.


Reviewer: Tom Fellenbaum, WNCW Radio, Asheville, NC
I played 'Paddy, Jenny, and the Boys' on my Sunday Celtic show (12:15pm), and received a phone call from a guy who wanted to know what I had just played. When I told him, he said, "Man, as far as I'm concerned you can just keep on playing that CD...that was fantastic!


Reviewer: Anita Pirri, Berwyn, PA
I LOVE your album. Zephyr in the Confetti Factory is now a constant in my car, ipod, and pretty much anywhere I go. It's infectious...the fiddle just gets inside ya and Ashley's mandolin is just incredible and happy. Paddy, Jenny, and the Boys is my favorite, but Loudeac Round Dances is also fantastic.


Reviewer: Bob Coffey, Mount Vernon, WA
What an incredible CD. I don't remember when I've been quite so taken by a new [album]. I could go on and on about what fun it is to listen to, the great interplay between the two of you and the musical surprises that keep popping up, sometimes making me laugh out loud. sical. I hope ... lots and lots of people can have some of the fun I'm having.


Reviewer: David Perasso, Seattle, WA
A masterpiece. Playful, evocative, and lots of fun. Unlike most CDs that get old after a while, this one gets better the more times you listen to it. I keep hearing new details and interactions. Lucky we don't use vinyl anymore or I would wear the grooves out.


Reviewer: Julie Johnson, New Zealand
Irresistible whimsy and wistfulness- good on ya'!! Listening to this album, I feel like a kid at the start of summer vacation: the music evokes the giddy promise of long, warm, lazy days of picking wild blackberries, digging for clams, building a secret lean'to under the canopy of a maple tree in full bloom. Ashley and Jamie bring such joy and energy to the music. You hear the unequivocal love they have for these tunes in their spirited playing and crisp arrangments, which are both carefree and carefully crafted. Particular favourites are the whimsies of Track 1 "Paddy, Jenny and the Boys" (get up and DANCE) and Track 7 "The Cuckoo and the Blackberry" and the wistfulness and yearning of Track 8 "Loudeac Round Dances." Gorgeous, all of it. Get thee soon to Aotearoa!!


Reviewer: Ellen Wall, San Francisco, CA
The CD is fun to listen to, a great variety of music and styles, all superbly played by outstanding professional musicians. But it is also dance music. I've had the pleasure of hearing Broder and Laval play at a contra dance. Their enthusiasm for the music infuses this album.


Reviewer: Cameron McLeod, Long Beach, CA
Excellent display of expressive musicianship. This album truly displays what exceptionally talented musicians both Jamie and Ashley are, while simultaneously depicting scenes of traditional dance and heartfelt emotion. An undoubtedly exceptional work of music.


Reviewer: Esther Center, Santa Cruz, CA
Upbeat and refreshing. These fun-loving, high-spirited tunes make frown lines disappear. With the dynamite chemistry between Jamie and Ashley (well, between Jamie and anyone!) there's sure to be World Peace sooner rather than later.


Reviewer: Victory Music Magazine
Former Seattle-ite Jamie Laval has long thrilled dance and concert audiences with his technical mastery of the violin and his creative interpretations of traditional music. On this CD he teams with Ashley Broder who brings her own creative genius and musical mastery of mandolin and 'cello. She and Jamie weave a musical tapestry that ranges from Bach to Grapelli and from Galicia to Appalachia.
The CD opens with clear, bell like tones of Ashley Broder's mandolin rising and falling over a rhythmic violin drone. Then the violin takes the lead and off they go into a winding helix of alternate violin, mandolin and unison renditions of lively Irish reels that playfully tickle the listener's ear with unusual harmonies and modulations.

Throughout the CD we hear their mastery of traditional forms as they range from Bretagne round dances to Bluegrass reels. Every track is firmly rooted in tradition but develops using ideas from Bach to Grappelli. Bluegrass tunes begin simply and build to a thrilling unison accelerando. Traditional Jigs and Reels make the dancer want to dance even as the ear delights to new harmonies. Round dances begin hauntingly and grow in intensity. The 'cello begins a track (Old Man Elzic) with haunting pizzicato tones and is joined by the violin as they develop and explore Appalachian melodies, harmonies and rhythms. Every track is worth listening to again and again as the ear finds new subtleties.

Especially exciting is Staircase, Ashley's delightfully complex composition intertwining the violin and mandolin. Staircase shows all the playfulness, depth of feeling and technical mastery of these two fine artists.

The CD ends with a beautiful rendition of A Bruxa, a mournful Galician waltz with a Middle Eastern feel. The cello adds just the right texture to the expressive, liquid playing of the violin.
Some CDs get listened to once. Some get listened to a couple of times and put on the shelf. Zephyr in the Confetti Factory is a CD you will listen to again and again and again.