MerchandiseThe Big Spree - Reviews
What a debut! ‘The
Big Spree’ is a swirling collection of stirring tunes and top
notch songs, and the powerhouse instrumentals
are a testament to youthful exuberance, burgeoning
talent and a total joy to listen to.
The recollection of this band’s superb Celtic Connections set is
literally ringing in my ears as I listen to this album. Breabach is a
four-piece band that has attracted the eyes and ears of festival organisers,
winning themselves a coveted slot at Cambridge Folk Festival this year.
Readers who’ve heard this band play live will know exactly why,
because they hurl their tunes at you with such attack that you need to
be ready to steel yourself against their onslaught. Donal Brown &
Calum MacCrimmon between them play Highland bagpipes, flutes and whistles,
Patsy Reid plays fiddle, viola and cello, and Ewan Robertson is guitarist,
lead vocalist, and what a rich and commanding voice he has. Patsy too
has a lovely, listenable voice, evidenced by her fine interpretation of
‘Lochaber No More.’ Duncan Lyall and Ewen Vernal guest on
double bass on various tracks, adding considerable depth to the music.
Calum and Patsy contribute some cracking tunes themselves, and these are
joined by further riches; the outstanding ‘Davy Webster’s’
by the late Gordon Duncan – a magnificent and celebratory tribute
to this great piper. There are reels, strathspeys and jigs by Angus MacDonald,
Adam Sutherland, Donald MacLeod, Neil Gow and other fine composers. Well
known traditional tunes sit snugly in the mix too, including ‘The
Snuff Wife’, ‘George White’s Favourite’, ‘Brose
and Butter’ and ‘Bonnie Isle O’Whalsay.’ Though
the pace of the music slows down occasionally, overall it’s a huge
sound, bursting with energy, and there will
be few who can sit still when listening to these brilliant tunes, brilliantly
played.
An outstanding first album from a fantastic young
band. More power to their elbow for getting it so right so early
on in their careers!
Debbie Koristas (Living Tradition)***
The three melody players in this young Scottish quartet play several different
instruments apiece - something that makes for a nice variety of sounds
and arrangements on their debut album. Highland pipers Donal Brown and
Calum MacCrimmon both play whistle as well, with Brown also manning a
mean flute and MacCrimmon contributing harmony vocals; lead vocalist duties
are shared by fiddler Patsy Reid; who also plays violin and cello, and
guitarist Ewan Robertson. Both are fine strong singers, and the musicianship
throughout is excellent - particularly when
Reid does a powerful solo fiddle turn on a set of five tunes, the first
of which she composed herself. Nevertheless one gets the feeling that
this is still a band trying to find its true voice. I'm looking forward
to hearing more from them.
Hot Press Review - Vol 31, Sarah MccQuaid 7/10 ***
This is the first album by the young quartet sporting twin bagpipes upfront
of the fiddle, flute, whistle and guitar. Their obvious playing skills,
and an essentially Scottish traditional repertoire, make for interesting
listening, while piper Calum MacCrimmon (and you can't have a better surname
if you play the big pipes) adds a couple of his own compositions. Their
vocal abilities are limited, but it's the high-energy
instrumental attack that excites.
Scotland on Sunday, 15th July 2007 NORMAN CHALMERS ***
This is indeed a
sparkling debut. Breabach romp effortlessly through the Scots and
Irish repertoire: Davy Webster's, George White's Favourite, Green Fields
of Glentown, Hull's Reel and many more are putty in the hands of Patsy
Reid and Calum MacCrimmon, on fiddle and big pipes respectively. The flute
of Donal Brown lacks snap on the strathspeys and reels, but it's breathtaking
on slower tunes: Hector the Hero is mournful and moving, quite different
from the Wolfstone and Bothy Band interpretations. The flute break in
The Rolling Hills is beautifully controlled,
while singer Ewan Robertson makes a lovely job of this Matt McGinn song.
I'm less convinced by Patsy's vocals on Lochaber No More. Breabach is
basically an instrumental band with the occasional song, and I hope they'll
have the strength to stay that way.
Ewan is joined in the backline by a guest bassist on six tracks, but otherwise
The Big Spree is a pure foursome achievement and is all the more impressive
for that. The Breabach sound is big and bold on Chloe's Passion and the
final Caber Feidh set, with gentler moments on Cockerel in the Creel and
Patsy's solo medley James Gunn Henderson. The band also has a few own
compositions here: a charming lyrical march by Patsy, and Calum contributes
the 10/8 monster The Full Booner and the outstanding reel Under the Influence.
A most enjoyable album, The Big Spree is one of this year's highlights.
Get yourself a copy (try www.verticalrecords.co.uk), or listen online
at www.breabach.com, and see what you think. There are occasional audible
fluffs or glitches in the mixing, but they don't really interfere with
the music. This recording was produced by Breabach, and is only licensed
by Vertical, so it's not a Vertical quality issue, but it is a rare thing
even on independent CDs these days.
Alex Monaghan
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