Reviews

Artist: Iain MacInnes
Album: Sealbh
Label: Macmeanmna Records
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.gaelicmusic.com

Many years ago I had the pleasure of working with Iain MacInnes in the short-lived band Malinhead. Of course, things dramatically changed for Iain when he subsequently joined The Tannahill Weavers and Ossian. Bringing us up to date he is now the highly respected radio producer of Radio Scotland's "Pipeline" whilst still maintaining occasional live performances.

This gem of an album features MacInnes joined by guest musicians Mairi Campbell (fiddle), Ross Kennedy (bouzouki/guitar), David McGuinness (harmonium/piano), John Martin (fiddle), Iain MacLeod (mandolin) and Simon Thoumire on concertina.

Unlike a majority of albums that utilise the 'pipes' as a dramatic statement of intent much like heavy artillery or the lead guitar of the 'folk' scene this recording maintains integrity by showcasing the beauty inherent in this most unwieldy of instruments.

Tune contributions including Mairi Campbell's energetic "The Treadmill" and the evocative "Karuna" sit well along with MacInne's own tribute to his brother "Angus MacInnes Of Glenside" and are totally in keeping with some of the more established traditional compositions such as "Go To Berwick Johnny" and the sumptuous "Eagle's Whistle".

The informative (though never dull) sleeve-notes provide the background of where Iain sourced his choice of material and although scholarly to some degree they provide a knowledgeable insight to a master musician.

Peter Fyfe

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