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ANGUS LYON & RUARIDH CAMPBELL "Simple Tricks" Lochshore CDLDL1310

On first playing "Simple Tricks" the thing that struck me immediately was how professional the music sounds. Of course with the pedigree of the performers (both multi award winners) you would expect a flawless performance, which you get, but there is more to it than that. It is the attention to detail, both in the playing and the arrangements that gives this music such polish.

Angus plays accordions and piano and Ruaridh plays violin and viola. They are joined by first rate guest musicians, Steve Lawrence - bouzouki, guitar and percussion; Duncan Lyall - double bass; Alan Train - guitar; Fraser Spiers - harmonica and Mark Ockendon - snare and hi-hat. Their repertoire is a mixture of items of known composition, many by Angus and Ruaridh [individually] and traditional tunes all played with great skill and drive and a freshness that gives the listener new enjoyment even from old favourites like The Hen's March to the Midden, which is a joy but much too short.

When I tell you that as well as writing many of tunes, Angus and Ruaridh also produced "Simple Tricks" and together with D.P. Johnson mixed the CD (Ruaridh also designed the sleeve) it gives you a pretty fair idea of the talent this pair possess - don't forget, they also play instruments. "Simple Tricks" is a cracking CD and I can find no quibble at all, a gem, Highly recommended.

Danny Saunders.

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This album was reviewed in Issue 53 of The Living Tradition magazine.