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 Play Live - Opening with 'Battle of Harlaw' the Old Blind Dogs will have your attention and they will keep it. The use of the border pipes gives a wonderful lift to the song. The mood quietens on the set of instrumentals collectively called 'Sky City', combining the contemporary title piece with a traditional Galician jig and the beautifully named 'Lovely Basket of Nice Smelling Flowers'. One of my favourite tracks on the album is 'Young Edward', a chilling ballad dating back two centuries and, like so many such songs, it is filled with blood and violence. Going to a restaurant for lunch will never be the same after you listen to the contemporary tune called 'Soup of the Day'. They return to the tradition for the next track, 'Tramps & Hawkers', to remind us of a bygone age that was far from rosey for the itinerant workers who inspired the tale. The band then takes on another challenge by combining new lyrics and a traditional tune on 'Battle of Waterloo'. I am delighted to report that the chance pays off. One of my favourite instrumental pieces is the beautiful 'Lochanside' and it is heard here combined with 'Morag Haig-Thomas'. No Scottish album is complete without something from Robert Burns, and we must admit there are many tunes to choose from. The Old Blind Dogs take 'A Man's a Man For A' That' and re-arrange it to great effect. They end this concert in your living room with a gentle start and hearty finishing 'A Wild Rumpus'. The insert gives us the background and lyrics. This is a wonderful live recording that captures the atmosphere without having long rambling chat between tracks.
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