Various Artists
Album: !No Pasaran!(They Shall Not pass)Scots In The Spanish Civil War
Label: Greentrax
Tracks: 16
Website: http://www.greentrax.com/music/artists/reviews/no-pasaran/

"!No Pasaran!(They Shall Not pass)Scots In The Spanish Civil War " is an exciting collection of songs from a 20th century war that was/is in serious danger of being forgotten. Talking with friends the two bits about the conflict that generally came to mind were Guernica, mainly because of the iconic painting and that it was a testing ground for German aircraft prior to the start of WW2. Surprisingly a poor third was the mention of the International Brigade and that's naturally where this album is focused.

The performers on the album almost become secondary to the songs, though as the performers include Dick Gaughan, Iain Anderson and The McCalmans amongst others, the term secondary can only be used very loosely.

Undoubtedly the stars of this album are the songs, each accompanied in the booklet but the events and people that inspired the songs and poems set to music that make up this compilation. Interestingly few of the songs on the album are actual songs from the war its self, most are inspired by reading memoires and historic accounts.

What I also find fascinating is the variation between political songs and the more people orientated songs, almost the difference between cause and effect, both powerful in their own way. Equally as powerful are contrasts between the songs of town and country, the two distinct areas of conflict.

Needless to say the most moving songs are the ones about the people that didn't come home, but again that's not to discount the songs about comradeship and colleagues in arms and those songs are also the ones that remind you that this is an album which whilst focused on the Scots tend to reference more the International Brigade.

Sixteen songs can only provide a very potted history of the war, but they do capture a lot of the DNA of the conflict. I found this to be a very inspiring album and accompanying booklet helps provide perspective, it's also well performed and you can't ask for more from an album than that.

Neil King