With this showing being held in the Pleasance Theatre it was a surprise when the opening act filled up the full size stage. The Young Tradition Touring Group from Vermont consists of a couple of dozen teenagers, backed up by half a dozen adult performers. Massed fiddles, harps, guitars, mandolin, banjo, cello, keyboards and piano accordion all featured. They play music from a mix of traditional sources, with tunes from Ireland, Canada, the Vermont area and the southern US, plus some original material, and a well constructed set also brought in ensemble singing, Quebec-style podorythmie, and step dancing. Plus some well choreographed changeovers between numbers as musicians changed places and instruments.
The arrangements might not be overly complex, but there's a high standard of playing and there was certainly no sense of 'school band' syndrome. These youngsters have a great deal of talent and I'm sure many of them will go on to make a career in music. The keyboard and accordion player stood out as particularly proficient. An enjoyable and lively introduction to the evening.
Just over a year on from the last time I got to review the band, the line up remains the same, with Anna Massie now confirmed as a welcome, and oft humourous, permanent member. She joins sisters Jenna and Bethany Reid, and LaurenMacColl in a line up of four fiddlers of finesse and fun. Playing a mix of traditional and modern, fast and slow, the arrangements belie the apparent simplicity of four people playing the same instrument.
There's a strong bond of understanding and sympathy running under the playing, and they clearly enjoy their interaction on stage. Each member of the band takes a turn at introducing tunes, and providing some background to their choices. From haunting slow airs to foot tapping reels they provided plenty of variety, but after an hour there is a sameness to the sound that made me grateful they were only playing one set. Sometimes less is more.
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