 | | Reviews | | |  OLD BLIND DOGS
The Gab O Mey
Green Linnet GLCD 1223
This latest release from the band brings a new percussionist with it in the shape of Fraser Stone, a young man with a pedigree equivalent to a best-of-breed Highland terrier and with an attitude and energy quota to match. Other than that, for long-term followers of the OBDs there are no surprises on this album - and that's no bad thing. Fraser has continued the band's tradition of laying down a broad percussive canvas as a backdrop for their well-established mix of traditional and contemporary songs and tunes. Rory Campbell's piping continues to stand out, particularly for the tone and attack of his playing, the quality of his writing and his ability to play a supporting role as well as the lead. The press release says 'smoking pipes'. I think 'smouldering' seems a word closer to the subtleness.
Old Blind Dogs have always chosen good material and the songs on The Gab O Mey (a Doric expression meaning the last few days of April - but I expect you knew that) are as shrewd a selection as any. The opener Monymusk Lads, a night visiting song, is delivered in sprightly manner and singer Jim Malcolm's own The Wisest Fool is a neat lyric and melody. Brian McNeill's Lads O The Fair has been through the mill several times, most notably by Dick Gaughan and those who prefer their vocals a bit on the craggy side may find Jim Malcolm's singing a bit too smooth for their liking. By contrast, his harmonica on Archie Kennet's tune The Whistler is as wild, stormy and necessary as the Shipping Forecast. With Jonny Hardie on fiddle and Buzzby McMillan on bass and cittern as well they have all the fire-power they need to raise the stakes so they should cut up rough just a bit more often.
Paul Saunders - June 2003
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Folk & Acoustic
