Assembled by
Fiona Ritchie
of
NPR
's The Thistle and Shamrock, the
Scotland: The Real Music From Contemporary Caledonia
collection simply oozes class. In part it's the selection of artists, most of whom have years of proven talent behind them. But it's also the material. It's remarkable stuff, not merely the traditional tunes, but also the contemporary ones. None, however, is better than
"Thaney,"
by
Malinky
, a
ballad
that sounds as if it should have the dust of ages on it, direct, powerful, and with the drone that characterizes so much
Celtic
music.
Dougie Maclean
is his usual excellent self, as is the rawer
Dick Gaughan
with his excoriating
"No Gods and Precious Few Heroes."
Inevitably,
Robert Burns
has a look-in, as well he should, when
Chantan
perform
"Slave's Lament,"
one of his many excellent songs. There's simply not a bad, or even mediocre, track here.
Catherine-Ann MacPhee
floats in Gaelic over the harp,
the Wrigley Sisters
from the northerly Orkneys, and
Tony Cuffe
plays exquisite guitar. And, to illustrate the Scots sense of humor,
Adam McNaughton
contributes
"Oor Hamlet,"
retelling the Bard's play in hilarious fashion in three minutes. A wonderful way to experience Scotland. ~ Chris Nickson