Whyte Noise are a father and son duo, Gordon and Ciaran Whyte from Paisley and their debut album, What We Love To Do, is sort of autobiographical and just oozes Scottishness.
The opening track and lead single is ’Long For Glencoe’, an up-tempo tribute to the attractions of the region. Glencoe is a little way from Paisley but we won’t quibble – many of us live not where we love and the Whytes admit that they don’t visit Glencoe as often as they would wish. Perhaps the song tells us more than is immediately apparent. ‘Throw Me A Penny’ provides the album title and tells of Ciaran’s life as a busker, a calling that he has made a great success of. I’m not sure that he could reproduce ‘The Whisky Song’ on the streets, though. It’s a piano-based, music-hall style ode to Scotland’s finest export. Ciaran races through a list of more than a hundred malts with a traditional sounding dance rhythm. I quickly gave up trying to count the ones I’ve actually tasted!
Changing tack, ‘I’m Wi’ You’ is the sort of up-tempo love song we could do with more of. It’s big on percussion which is probably Gordon’s doing and it leads into ‘Spinning Yarns’, the love song of a long-established couple, except that Whyte Noise describe it as the excitement of a new relationship. Funny how age changes your perception, isn’t it?
‘The Granny Song’ is a piece of broad Scots humour while barrel-house piano introduces ‘Best Bit Of Me’ before saxophone kicks in for a break in a self-deprecating song. There must be a deep meaning somewhere in there but I haven’t quite grasped it yet. ‘Birdsong Bedtime’ is a complaint about the pace of modern life. After a gentle acoustic guitar introduction it develops into a rich, full-blooded arrangement; yes, it’s a song of regret but also about grasping the moment while we have the chance.
‘The Football Song’ is an upbeat memory of childhood footy playing in the street heedless of restrictions or potential dangers – “we are the champions of all time” Ciaran sings. They really took it seriously. ‘Beauty Of Glencoe’ takes us back to where we started in both location and sentiment, although perhaps a little more sentimental than the opening track. Finally, the Whytes turn to rock’n’roll with ‘Balance’, another song that I believe holds a deep meaning for them.
Only Susan Whyte is listed as supporting cast although they do perform live with a full band so all I can say is this. If the three of them have created What We Love To Do all by themselves then they have done a stunning job. The official launch party was on July 17th but you can hear them at the Edinburgh Festival.
Dai Jeffries
Artist’s website: https://www.whytenoiseband.com/
‘Long For Glencoe’ – official video:
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