Ewan McLennan
Album: The Last Bird To Sing
Label: Fellside
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.ewanmclennan.co.uk

Much anticipated is one of those phrases that's often used in album reviews, but rarely meant. It's a nice bridging phrase that gets a reviewer from a band's history without having to really think about it, there are exceptions.

I've been following Ewan McLennan's career since I stayed at the same B&B as him when he played Moniaive Folk Festival a few years back. I was delighted when he made the breakthrough with his debut Fellside album, "Rags & Robes" a couple of years back. I've had a genuine sense of anticipation about this album since I was talking to Ewan about it last year and was lucky enough to hear a couple of the tracks going on it performed live.

Ewan McLennan's Scottish brogue, could have been carved out the hills, using mountain spring water to cool the cutting tools and still not have sounded more suited to singing folk songs. Time and time again it's the timbre of the voice that gives his songs an edge that you only really get when the vocal quality is this high. There's a good reason why we he's won awards for his singing.

"The Last Bird To Sing" is an album of a songmaster, both those that he's penned and those he's chosen to interpret. The majority of the album features just him and his guitar, but where he does bring in guests they are used to maximum effect. "Banks Of Marble", as fine an attack on greed as you'll here anywhere, features some fantastic fiddle interludes from no less than John McCusker and it really does provide real emphasis.

I've been an adherent to the principle that a decent folk album should be a history lesson, a geography lesson and a murder(or two). On that criteria alone, this album hits the mark, but I really should add that it should also be rich in social commentary and you get that here. It's what separates the good from the great and this is definitely great.

The reason the 'tradition' has lasted as long as it has is because of the richness of the songs. Songs that inspire other artists to perform them and more importantly inspire the next generation of artists to write their own songs to add to and build extensions on. "The Last Bird To Sing" and Ewan McLennan will do just that. This is an album that should be at the front of any collection because you'll want easy access to it.

Neil King