Celtic duos come in a multitude of forms. Hamish Hepburn (flute, whistles and pipes) hails from the Cairngorms and from Donegal comes Jack Houston (fiddle, viola, mandolin, vocals). They were flatmates in Glasgow in 2010 but only began recording together last year. Afore Ye Go is the first fruits of their endeavours on which they are supported by guitarists Jack McRobbie and Miguel Girão, pianist Ella McGrory and Callum Edwards’ percussion.
The opening set begins with an excerpt from ‘Mo Rùn Geal Dìleas’, a traditional Gaelic song sung here by Jessie Hepburn which leads into ‘James Hepburn’s 91st’ written by Hamish for his grandfather. It’s a lovely flowing slow reel paired with ‘Nia’s Barndance’, an almost stately tune which picks up speed as it progresses. It’s followed by a trio of jigs, ‘Tá’n Fear Féasógach a’ Teacht/The Candle Queen/The Stepping Stones’ played in light style that Hamish and Jack favour but driven along by McRobbie’s guitar. It’s a good set for dancing if you crank the volume up or to listen to with more soft pedal applied.
Three reels, ‘David Lavery’s Reel/The Evening Comes Early/Éirí na Gréine’, come next. The first is written by Jack, the second by John Doyle and the third is a traditional Donegal tune. McRobbie’s guitar really gives this set some welly and Hamish is almost falling over himself by the close. In contrast (and we really need it) comes the sweetness of ‘The Mull Wedding’, a waltz written by Ian Knight for his son Martyn Bennett who died tragically young. Well, it starts out sweet but Hamish’s pipes add a touch of grandeur.
It’s back to the jaunty sound of two tunes in the style of Donegal Highlands, ‘The Devil’s Backbone/Ark Of Tides’ with Ella providing the continuo. We keep dancing with ‘The Archina MacLennan Twoscore/The West Highland Line/Lady Francis’, a quickstep and two jigs with the pipes initially to the fore, followed by a pair of reels. Finally we have ‘Mo Shean Inis Eoghain’, a rather melancholy traditional song and slow air, the song translated into Irish by Jack. There is a little twist at the end of the track, though.
Afore Ye Go is a most enjoyable album whether you want practice a few figures or listen quietly while Hamish and Jack work together across the Irish Sea.
Dai Jeffries
Artists’ website: https://jackceol.bandcamp.com/album/afore-ye-go
‘The Devil’s Backbone/Ark Of Tides’:
Thanks for stopping by. Please help us continue and support us by tipping/donating to folking.com via
You must be logged in to post a comment.