Sunday 29 December 2019

Twelfth Day / Ross Couper and Tom Oakes, Scots Fiddle Festival, Pleasance

Twelfth Day performed as a quartet with duo Catriona Price (fiddle) and Esther Swift (harp) backed by bass and drums.  This was the launch of their most recent album and the performance combined folk, classical and pop influences into an experimental blend that's invigorating, surprising and occasionally baffling.  But they do so with such charm, humour and musicality that the oddities can be easily forgiven.  Different, but enjoyable.

Couper (fiddle) and Oakes (guitar) are a very different proposition.  True to their folk roots, but with many varied influences - inevitable with one from Shetland, the other from Devon - and a near telepathic mutuality.  It's a fast paced show, both in the music and the patter.  Both can be extremely funny, but it's the passion and power of their playing that dominates.  They can knock out a moving slow number, but the fast stuff is certainly that - fast.  Impressively and blood rousingly so.  Hugely engaging and energising.

No comments:

Post a Comment