REVIEW FROM www.livingtradition.co.uk

SGOIL CHIÙL NA GÁIDHEALTACHD - Home Is Where The Coach Is
Private Label SCGCD010D

Here we have a double CD of music and songs, mostly traditional or penned by members of the assembled troupe, whose collective non-Gaelic moniker is the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music, based at Plockton High School. The title is obviously a tongue in cheek homage to a Battlefield Band album from 1980 (no it really is that long ago – I checked).

Listening to this “CD of Excellence” I find it hard to believe that the Centre was under threat of closure earlier this year. I was proud to be a part of the mass session in George Square, Glasgow on 5th February 2011, along with many other musicians, in protest at the impending loss of this wonderful institution. At the time of writing the Centre appears to have been reprieved, deservedly so, as this album is testament to the young talent that is nurtured there.

Here we have a well-balanced collection of Gaelic song, fiddle tunes, Scots song, pibroch, and even a Kate Rusby song thrown in for good measure – oh and a cracker of a song by a pupil (On My Boat by Caitlin McNeill). The choice of material is superb, and performed to the highest standard by a collection of young people whose tutors read like a Who’s Who of Scottish Folk of recent years.

I hope that this album becomes available on general release, as it is easily one of the best albums I’ve heard this year so far (and there’s been a lot…). A gem.

Grem Devlin