Multi-instrumentalists Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton joined by percussionist Paul Jennings and the wonderfully talented Jenn Butterworth on guitar and vocals. Traditional musicians, traditional instruments, modern musical sensibilities. Whistles, bouzouki, tenor guitar and full fat highland bagpipes. Their music is largely self penned, but draws from other sources such as the late Martyn Bennett, and traditional tunes.
What emerges is a complex folk-rock sound that ranges from soft and lyrical to energetically rousing, especially when both sets of pipes come into play. The mix of instruments changes frequently, providing some surprising combinations at times, notable pipes and tenor guitar which turn an ancient sound into something more contemporary. This swapping around, and frequent improvising mean that even largely repetitive pieces have a constantly changing sound. Helped in no small part by the imaginative accompaniments from Butterworth and Jennings.
Jenn also contribute some weel kent songs. Her voice sounded a little strained in the first half, but normal service was later restored and she ended with a superb rendition of Hamish Henderson's Freedom Come-All-Ye. Adding to the entertainment is the banter and there were plenty of laughs, with Jennings' occasional dry asides a highlight.
Great stuff.
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