OCCASIONALS – Birling (Greentrax Recordings CDTRAX371)

For those looking to extend their repertoire of ceilidh dance tunes you could do no better than purchase this ebullient collection by one of Scotland’s leading bands the Occasionals. Within their ranks there’s the formidable tune writing skills and accordion playing of Freeland Barbour (ex Silly Wizard don’t you know), Ian Hardie (fiddle), Gus Millar (drums) and strings man Kevin MacLeod on banjo, mandolin and tenor guitar. This is Scottish dance music performed the way it used to be when I was a youngster at school and all the more enjoyable for that as I’ve come to that point in my life whe re I do a lot of reminiscing. Thoughtfully included in the booklet are suggested dances such as The Gay Gordons and Strip The Willow etc and with Scottish dances proving so popular once again I’m sure the album will be snapped up like a queue for a deep-fried Mars bar at the local Glasgow chippie on a Friday night.

PETE FYFE

Artist web link – www.theoccasionals.com