More than 30 years as one of Scotland's finest folk bands and still on top form. Mid afternoon on New Years Day is an odd time for a gig, but on this evidence it's a habit worth forming. With a front line of musicians who all have the talent to lead their own bands, Capercaillie are a powerhouse of musicality and improvisation. Vocalist Karen Matheson is renowned as one of Scotland's finest Gaelic singers, her tone and range as impressive as ever. Seven instrumentalists add bouzouki, guitar, accordion, keyboards, flute, whistles, Uilleann pipes and fiddle, backed up by bass guitar, drums and percussion. Add in Fraser Fifield on whistles, soprano sax and highland bagpipes and there's an immense diversity of sound, the complex arrangements still allowing plenty of room for individual freedom of expression.
Guesting with the band were talented young duo Hannah Fisher on fiddle and Sorren Maclean on guitar. Both got a chance to show off their own singing abilities, and added much to the instrumental mix.
With a well chosen mix of tempoes, and of new material followed by old favourites, the band had the audience n their feet and dancing away. Tremendous stuff.
And the abiding memory of the day? Even with ten instruments giving it laldy you could still clearly hear the flute or pipes of Mike McGoldrick doing what he does best - making shit up as he goes along!
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