Paul Anderson
Album: Land Of The Standing Stones
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 17
Website: http://www.paulandersonscottishfiddler.com

If it wasn't for the music programmes on BBC Alba, the Scottish Gaelic language television channel which successfully attracts both Gaelic and non-Gaelic viewers alike and BBC Radio Celtic Zone, I probably wouldn't have been reviewing this album. Paul Anderson is a name that has come up quite a few times both as a master fiddler and a composer. Having heard that his slow air "Land of the Standing Stones" inspired by the standing stones near his home and across Aberdeenshire had now morphed into a 70 minute suite which reflected the people, places and history of his native Aberdeenshire and comprised a mixture of slow airs, jigs, a ballad, reels, a priboch (a theme with variations), strathspeys, laments and a march, curiosity got the better of me and I wanted to listen.

I was determined to get through the album in one play: alas, I failed first time, tried again and then tried again but couldn't do it. I can be a bit of a marathon man myself, but this album is pure triathlon - 17 tracks containing 51 original tunes in the Scots tradition. Don't get me wrong, the musicianship throughout the album is superb but I found a lot of it a bit too pedestrian, middle of the road and a tad too long for this sassenachs ears. I expected a bit more oomph as the musicians involved included the guitar and keyboard player from the prog rock band Pallas whose albums Paul has guested on, and Dave Martin an accomplished electronic musician on percussion. Mr. Anderson looks a very imposing fellow, so no doubt the musicians adhered to the old adage - 'he who pays the piper calls the tune'.

There are tracks I can listen to over and over again like 'Bonny Hendry Gordon' which features the powerful vocals and guitar of actor Kevin McKidd better known for his portrayal of Tommy in the film "Trainspotting" and Owen Hunt in "Grey's Anatomy", the evocative slow airs "The Beauty of Cromar Before Me" "Farewell to Kilda" and "Land of the Standing Stones", the numerous 9/8 jigs which make up track 10 and parts of Sunset Song which at just over 17 minutes is the longest track on the album. Others: it was time to put the kettle on.

Chris Light