Canterach – Canterach

Canterach - CanterachCor blimey! Scotland must count itself the session man’s home from home. Another band featuring a few recognisable faces namely Ross Kennedy, Steve Lawrence, Iain MacInnes, Alistair McCulloch and Rod Paul. For those of you that follow the Celtic scene as much as I do, this is another marriage made in heaven. But what of the music? Well, as you’d expect, there’s some impeccable instrumental work including a version of ‘Willie Nicholson’s Jig’ where the harmony interplay between mandolin, pipes and fiddle blends like a fine malt.

‘Johnny ‘Braidislea’ is given yet another airing but I’m not sure of the inclusion of ‘Elloiot’s Reel’ taking the edge away from the song as it’s performed in a major key. Far better is the following track ‘On The ‘Wings Of A Scorie/The Rejected Suitor’ where the unison leads set up the beautiful tone of Iain’s smallpipes. All in all, a very rewarding album.

Original Posting date – 6-June-2001
Reviewers Name – Pete Fyfe