Sounds of Scotland New releases reviewed by Bobby Harvey

IS IT VERY FAR TO HEIDELBERG FROM HERE? Haggerdash. HD002.

This is a very unusual but also listenable release from a good Glasgow folk group from the wilds of Shettleston. With Davy Logan on lead banjo,mandolin and dobro and the rest of the band using all different combinations,it has plenty of variety both in sound and lyrics. The cheery title song is from fellow banjo folkie Ian McIntosh and is one of the many wee gems on this C.D. There is plenty of guid Scots vernacular in many of them and overall it makes for a really lively performance. The vocals from Davy Lees and Billy Stewart are no-holds- barred belters and they all seem to be enjoying every minute of this lively recording and this comes through to the listener with some force. (Available from www.haggerdash.co.uk)

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DORNEY ROCK. Kevin MacLeod. CDTRAX302.

This is the Occasionals’mandolinist’s third album and if you like the sound of bouzouki,guitar and mandolin,this is a cracker for you. The standard of playing is of the highest and with players of the calibre of Alec Finn of De Dannan,Orkney’s Kris Drever and Luke Plumb,the Tasmanian maestro,you can understand the virtuosity which a combination like this produces. The material is a mixture of Scottish,Irish and a few original compositions which always makes me cautious. However,this does gel into a fine production. (Available from www.greentrax.com)

BAIRNS KIST. Christina Stewart. FB003.

A fantastic collection of Scottish childrens songs from Christina who, apart from singing the words,teaches the wee ones the actions handed down through the traditional methods. In the accompanying sleeve notes,she explains every movement for parents and teachers to follow at home. With help from the Scottish Arts Council,the Highland Council and the Care and Learning Alliance,this would be an excellent C.D.for every child in Scotland. It is the songs your granny used to sing to you and,with 25 tracks,I can highly recommend this as one of the finest examples of traditional toddlers songs ever. (Available from info@kirstodreams.org)

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