Ewan McLennan
Album: Stories Still Untold
Label: Fellside
Tracks: 13
Website: http://www.ewanmclennan.co.uk

Album number 3 from Scottish troubadour Ewan McLennan who has been quietly making a name for himself as a musical story teller of great renown over the last 5 years or so. McLennan is acutely aware of his craft along with the responsibility that comes with being a collector of ancient songs and this is obvious from the extensive album notes that come with the record. In fact I'd go further than that and say that the man is more than a Troubadour. Yes he entertains as well as anyone but beyond that he provokes thought, discussion and awareness. Humble yet passionate this set of 13 tunes, recorded, as with previous releases, on the veteran Fellside label, evoke a number of folk standards, from running away from home ('A Beggar'), unrequited love ('Aye Waulkin O') and murder ('Prince Robert'). As the bar was set very high with debut release 'Rags And Robes', McLennan has sensibly never tried to outdo himself, continually releasing albums that are simply great quality and Stories Still Untold is no different. The only obvious change is a sense of dramatic intensity that drifts in and out the album, particularly on the self-penned ode to childhood 'Out On The Banks' and the haunting 'The Ballad Of Amy Nielson' with its tale of industrial hardship through the eyes of a child.

The politics of the common man has been a theme that runs through each of McLennan's previous releases and 'Stories Still Untold' is no different. 'Song Of The Lower Classes' is a tune set to the words of notable British Chartist, Ernst Jones whilst 'The Granite Cage' tells the story of John McLean who was renowned for his anti-war stance during the early 20th century. The lyrics recall his final stretch in Peterhead Prison and are as poignant as they are stirring. Both of these songs possess a quiet sense of reflection and you can envisage them being sung at gatherings of working class men, their heads lowered and their faces a mixture of resignation, anger and grim determination.

One of the undoubted high points of this release is the inclusion of live favourite 'Coorie Doon'. It's a beautiful, lilting lullaby and draws the album to a close wonderfully.

'Stories Still Untold' is another beautifully recognised piece of work and will serve to cement Ewan McLennan's position as one of Britain's finest exponents of tradition both old and new for many years to come.

Rob Fearnley