Author: Editor

In Terra’s Keep is the second album by Glasgow six-piece Trip following their 2022 debut, A Drop For Neptune. They base their sound on the traditional Scottish piano continuo courtesy of Rory Matheson and it’s Rory who we hear first hear rumbling at the left hand end of the keyboard heralding ‘The 50 Reels’. The first tune is ‘The 50 Run’ by another young composer, Graham Mackenzie, and that’s paired with Rory’s own composition, ‘Sinclair’s’.

After the reels we need the jigs. ‘Not A Cloud’ is a pair of tunes written by fiddler Isla Callister and flautist Tiernan Courell and I have to say that I’m still puzzling over the title of the second tune – ‘3 Pork Pies & A Pint Of Milk’. I’m sure it has some deep significance…or possibly not.

Next comes a remarkable change of pace. ‘Blessed Are The Meek’ was originally written by Status Quo with this take subtitled ‘Trip’s Version’, although there is little scope for confusion. Spotify now list Trip’s version above the original. The song is a set of three stories “about a woman and a man” beginning with Adam and Eve and ending with Edward and Mrs Simpson which must be unique. Alasdair MacKenzie handles the lead vocal with an almost feminine sensitivity.

‘Octopus Circus’ is a jolly set pairing another of Tiernan’s tunes with Mairearad Green’s ‘The Octopus’ and the next two are titled ‘Pt.1’ and ‘Pt.2’ for no readily discernible reason. The first is Seamus Egan’s lilting ‘Tune For Roan’ which segues into Tiernan’s flute piece, ‘Chicago Reel’. I am not usually a fan of the piano as a lead instrument in folk music but I’m prepared to be persuaded by Rory Matheson who is a remarkable player. ‘Sadness Passed’ is actually Alasdair MacKenzie’s ‘The God Song’ – not overtly religious but carrying the simple message “look after each other”.

‘Sutherlands’ begins with ‘Yew Cottage’ by piper Ailis Sutherland paired with a group composition, ‘The Dusty Pidgeon’ and then comes another song, ‘Drive’ by Alasdair with an instrumental by Michael Biggins under the title ‘Hit The Road’. Finally, ‘August Ascent’ pairs a tune by Callister with another by Courell and it sounds like the band had so much fun recording it.

In Terra’s Keep is a splendid album by an equally splendid band of musicians. It has style, variety, pace – everything you want really – and before I forget I must mention bodhran player Craig Baxter who holds it all together without ostentation and probably doesn’t get the praise he deserves.

Dai Jeffries

Artists’ website: www.trip-music.com

‘Blessed Are The Meek’ – official video: