| Track by Track Review
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Psycho Woman
The crowd roars and we're off with a fiddle led instrumental, multi-textured by bagpipes and well suited guitar and percussion. As it comes to a close, the crowd once again erupts, as if to defy the disc's title. It’s a bold way to open a show. |
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Brave Boys
Intricate harmonies open this track with a searing bass groove that follows things into a cracking melody before beautiful vocals come in and take it over. It might not be what the title really suggests but it all makes great sense. This track is magnificent and very soothing. “Look away / Just be your fathers’ sons." |
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Quinie
Fiddle is back up front on this track with fine guitar playing. If the last one and this sound anything like this on the original studio tracks they're well worth looking into for yet more of the same. This is another instrumental. |
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Gillies
The pipes start up again and there is no denying their force. Crashing symbols and booming bass add to the majesty while the pipes just swirl around then before subtlety sets in. That subtlety comes with a whistle taking over and then the fiddle kicks in. It’s another amazing instrumental! |
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Balivanich
Some light acoustic guitar leads this track into a languid dominance, a softer approach to spice up the show. It’s very interesting and totally relaxed as the pace only builds up toward the end and only serves to compliment things. There is another nice crowd reaction. |
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Crowfeathers
Violin and pipes are well synchronized here in this moody piece, a hypnotic sound if there ever was one. It’s beautiful stuff as the guitar sets it up again and that violin / pipe interplay again just flies away. This is one of the highlights of the show with reciprocating crowd participation at points. Near the end the guitar and drums kick in and take the track out with intense precision. |
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Black Dog
Stuttering guitar begins things. I can't say I've heard anything quite like this. There’s almost a pop element that clearly creeps in and the background vocals help a lot with that. This one is too short! |
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John Simmers
A lovely piano is featured throughout this fine instrumental. This cut is also too short. |
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J-Time
More nice piano is the featured instrument, but violin and percussion are heard, as well. It is a very mellow and brilliantly arranged track. This is another one that begs the listener to check out the studio rendition and one of the easily favored numbers in the set. It’s pure magic! |
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Wild & The Free
Sweeping acoustic guitar sets up another interesting vocal. We get a folk laden tune that has so much more going for it because of the instrumental complexity. This piece has a perfect vibe. |
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Clueless
More violin and pipes galore are heard flying all around this one before the drums and guitar bring the crowd into a frenzy, much like that of "Crowfeathers." There are several crowd eruptions during this track and one can hear why they titled it "Not Enough Shouting." It is ironic because there is, of course, plenty of that. |
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The Prophet
A softer vocal on this one controls the crowd to a great effect before a harder groove takes over and the lovely vocal harmony proceeds to captivate. This is what I call “more with less” from a progressive outfit like this. |
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Tinny Run
A heavier track than the former, by far, the guitar is kicked up here a bit before yet another violin passage leads with some pipes to build intensity. Things get very loud here with more guitar textures from Stuart Eaglesham, accompanied by excellent drumming from Tony Soave. |
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Maggies
Things come to an end very nicely on this instrumental. This is another that seems too short. It is, however, quite fitting as the closer of what is a spectacular performance by all. |
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