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Amy Duncan

Venue: The Mash House
Town: Edinburgh
Date: 21/6/14
Website: http://amyduncan.co.uk

Amy Duncan is an Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, whose career has been on an upward trajectory since she signed to the prestigious Linn Records label and released her fourth album, "Cycles of Life", last year. This album is a coherent collection of richly-textured and quietly inspiring songs, all written by Amy Duncan and all beautifully arranged, sung and played.

Amy is an engaging and mesmerising performer, with an impressive vocal range. Her voice has a quiet strength and grace, which engages the heart and the mind. There is a refreshing directness and honesty in her vocals, enhanced by their soft Scottish lilt.

As part of an extensive Scottish tour supported by Creative Scotland, Amy Duncan hosted an evening of songs and music at The Mash House in Edinburgh on 21st June.

Another Edinburgh singer-songwriter, Lee Patterson, got the show underway with an entertaining set of blues and gospel-inflected songs, delivered in a gravelly baritone voice and featuring some driving, and at times pleasingly grungey, guitar playing.

The middle section of the gig saw Fiona Rutherford and Amy Duncan perform as a harp and double bass duo. This absorbing set covered tunes from their album "Quirk" and Fiona's recent solo album "Sleep Sound". The sparkling and inventive interplay between harp and double bass/bowed bass was evident throughout, particularly on the impressive "Lines On The Map".

For the main event, Amy Duncan (vocals and guitar) was joined on stage by Fiona Rutherford (harp), Kate Miguda (violin), Jane Atkins (viola), Donald Gillan (cello) and Rick Standley (double bass). Amy and her band delivered an impeccable and beautifully-balanced collection of songs, including some established favourites and a number of the new songs which will feature on her fifth album. Amy Duncan's songs are lyrically moving and musically mesmerising and the flowing strings, delicate harp and vivid flourishes of double bass enhanced them even more.

Every song was a delight and I highlight some of them simply to illustrate the quality and diversity on offer. The "Cycles Of Life" album was particularly well-represented by the elegant and life-affirming "Song To Myself"; the sweeping and majestic "When The Dead Are Watching"; and the rhythmic and defiant "Ivory Tower".

The new songs, "The Good Life"; "Undercurrents"; "The Truth Never Changes"; and "Fragile From The Storm", were uniformly excellent and promise to rival anything on "Cycles of Life". I was moved once again by the wonderful "Constant Without Me" (inspired by a life-size Antony Gormley sculpture which was located for a time in Edinburgh's Water of Leith) and I very much hope this will be on Amy's next album.

This was another captivating performance from Amy Duncan, who continues to enhance her reputation as one of Scotland's brightest musical talents. She will be previewing the songs from her next album, "Undercurrents", in three prestigious 'Made in Scotland' showcase concerts during the Edinburgh Fringe in August, before going into the studio to begin recording. If you're going to be in Edinburgh in mid-August, give yourself a treat and go along to one of these shows.

David Ferguson