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 The band may have travelled far and wide across the planet in search of their wages but the Old Blind Dogs repertoire is set very firmly in their native Scotland. A seriously rocking crew, the ‘dogs’ helmed by Jim Malcolm’s soaring vocals (just check out his range on the opening track “Battle Of Harlaw”), the stirring pipes of Rory Campbell, Jonny Hardie’s fiddle, Aaron Jones bass/bouzouki and Fraser Stone’s percussion sees them moving into territory pioneered by the Tannahill’s and Battlefield Band - only on heat. Taking the predominantly traditional songs and knocking them into shape (50 verse ballads anyone?) by trimming them and rounding them off with a great groove has certainly proved a resounding success which is obvious from the audience response at the end of each number. The lads prove they can also be subtle when the need arises and the beautiful air “Cuilfhionn” wafts along nicely until the frantic change of pace with “The Rejected Suitor” snaps you back to reality. The group’s rhythmical beat is totally infectious and by the time “The Kincardine Lads” is introduced to the set you can just imagine the audience boogy-ing on down. The hypnotic Breton/Galician set would I’m sure be approved by Paul McKenna whilst the Gothic tale of “Young Edward” wouldn’t go amiss as a banner headline in the latest edition of The Sun. So, a little bit of something for everyone – cracking performances all round and if this is your first introduction to the dogs I’m sure you’ll be left panting for more!
- www.folking.com |
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