SCOTT MURRAY - Evenin’s Fa’
Private Label PARTAN01CD
Well it’s been a lang time comin’, but certainly worth the wait. These 13 tracks collectively sum the essence of Scott Murray, cornerstone of Sangsters, captivating voice tutor and well kent singer-songwriter around these airts. The Scots Music Group project that led to the creation of this album must have been one heck of a success, if these tracks are owt to go by. Some of the material is familiar to groups that Scott has taught or from the last Sangsters album. Indeed the Sangsers are woven throughout this like Blackpool rock, although the most significant contribution is from Jenny Gardner, who co-produced, provided two tunes, and supplied fiddle and voice for most tracks – to great effect.
No chance of anybody accusing anyone of over-producing this album, most of it comprises one or two instruments with Scott’s lead vocal and, where appropriate, harmony vocals from the camp followers. Ann Murray takes lead vocals on Mary’s Song – super words from Marion Angus put to a perfect tune by Scott. All but two tracks feature the “community guitar” – a 1970s Martin, which Ian McCalman is the custodian of. A splendid instrument – I can vouch for that as I got an opportunity to play it at Sangschule one night – it has a tone that only a vintage instrument can offer.
My own personal favourite? On this occasion it’s a song called I Thought I Had No Voice, credited to Scott alone, but derived from the aforementioned Scots Music Group’s Inspire project, with sublime vocals from the assembled multitude and divine duetting fiddles from Ms Gardner and Gica Loening. Outstanding.
Grem Devlin
 |
Buy
this CD online from The Listening Post The Listening Post is the CD mailorder service of The Living Tradition magazine. This album was reviewed in Issue 93 of The Living Tradition magazine. |