Bruce & Walker
Album: Born To Rottenrow (CD/DVD)
Label: Greentrax
Tracks: 12/15
Website: http://www.bruceandwalker.com/

The names Bruce & Walker may invoke memories in some listeners, for this was a crack 1980s teaming of two songwriters each well-regarded in his own right: Ian Bruce and Ian Walker. And joy of joys, they've now reunited as a performing duo. And, on the evidence of this spirited return to the recording arena, little has changed in the intervening years in terms of quality of writing; I might even say that this new batch contains some of their best writing. Within the total of 12 songs on the audio-only (CD) element of the package, all but four are joint compositions, with two apiece penned by each writer in a solo capacity.

The press release states that these new songs have already been well received by recent audiences - and I can certainly understand why, for almost all of them really connect with the listener from first base. The Shawl, November Grey, Miss Salfka Sings and Old Love all stand out, while I also really liked Ode To An Old Friend. The uptempo Honest Man and Mary Button have their own brand of raggy charm, as does the admittedly throwaway good-time closer If I Live To The Same Old Age As Mama. And the instrumental backings, involving Stewart Hardy, Carol Jamieson, Victor Besch, Shaun Blandford, Moe Walker and Richard Werner, are first-class too. Moving on to the accompanying "bonus" DVD, this presents a 40-minute "house-concert"-cum-session, recorded absolutely live in Ian McCalman's studio, where everyone's having a real good time.

These guys are dab hands at communicating with their audience, the banter flows like wine, and it's a real treat to be sitting in on this - the whole experience is intimately conveyed through the warts'n'all filming, for it really feels like you're there in the crowded room with the guests and musicians. The set-list consists of nine old favourites drawn from the two Ians' back-catalogues, along with covers of The Grey Funnel Line and The Hills Of Isle Au Haut that feature guest vocals by none other than the inimitable Fraser Bruce himself. Finally, the DVD also includes a marvellous 55-minute interview the two Ians did with radio man Kenny. This fabulous, great-value package sure proves the boys are back in town! And to Rottenrow (yeah, that's a mondegreen for rock'n'roll too)!

David Kidman