Now, don’t get me wrong but the opening track of fiddle player Rua MacMillan’s debut solo album featuring his own composition “The Ewie Wi’ The Crooked Horn” could either be seen as a folly or a masterstroke. From a personal point of view I’d say it was in the affirmative. The skew-wiff melody which will throw the listener every which way is a clever bit of writing and sounds as if it can’t make up its mind if it wants to be in a major or minor key. Followed by a Riverdance style arrangement on another of his self-penned tunes “The Chancer” and some neatly placed rhythm interjections on the final “Traditionally Incorrect” there is a display of technical excellence from his ‘backing band’ Tia Files (guitar) and Adam Brown (bodhran) augmented by Alasdair MacLeod on drums. In the more than capable hands of producer Brian McNeill this recording sparkles with energy where it’s required or, just as easily will lull the listener in the subtler moments. A musician’s musician, Rua will I’m sure inspire many young performers and possibly raise the hackles on some of the ‘old guard’ but let’s face it courting a bit of controversy never hurt anyone…except perhaps Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand?
PETE FYFE
Artist website: http://www.greentrax.com/
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