 | | Reviews | | |  MIKE KATZ
A MONTH OF SUNDAYS
Temple Records COMD2095
As anyone who's ever seen Scotland's Battlefield Band in concert before knows, you can't miss Mike Katz, with or without the bagpipes. Probably one of the tallest men in folk and often the most snappily dressed, he makes an imposing figure. With his bagpipes in full flight, he's like a very self-effacing force of nature.
Originally from the USA, Mike learnt to play pipes with the Los Angeles Police pipe band and came over to Edinburgh as a student. Like many must be tempted to do, he stayed and has been a mainstay of the folk scene ever since.
This is the first solo work of his that I've come across and it doesn't disappoint in any way. Mike plays the pipes and whistle throughout, with the confidence and authority that I imagine you'd need to master such a powerful instrument, whether Highland or Scottish smallpipes - surely one of the most soulful sounds in the musical world? OK, you may need to have a bit of a penchant for all things with a chanter to try this out initially but if you do you'll be rewarded with some great musicianship and some fantastic tunes.
Aided and abetted by fellow musical maestro's from the Scottish scene - Kevin MacKenzie on guitar, John Martin on fiddle, Simon Thoumire on concertina and Mike's Battlefield Band colleague, Alisdair White on … well, lots of things actually, this is a CD that will lift your spirits. And it's great to have on in the car over long distances!
Kit Bailey - January 2005
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Folk & Acoustic
