Canterach

For a few years now one of the most eagerly awaited live attractions on the European traditional music circuit has been that of the near legendary Canterach. The enclosed CD is not only the product of months of hard work in the studio: it's also the culmination of years of experience on the road with a variety of line-ups. It's true to say that variety is a key word for this recording, be it a rousing pipe tune or an ancient Scots ballad one thing is for sure, the true nature of the music shines through.

Their unusual name is derived from the Gaelic word Canntaireach, used to describe the technique of teaching pipe music by singing the tune to the pupil. Indeed a trademark of the distinctive Canterach sound has been the strong involvement of pipes and fiddle driving the tunes. Five musicians make up the central core of the group Ross Kennedy (vocals/guitar) Steve Lawrence (percussion/bouzouki) lain Maclnnes (pipes) Alastair McCulloch (fiddle) Rod Paul (mandolin/banjo) with contributions from Angus Lyon (piano/keyboards) Fraser Speirs (harmonica) Lynn Morrison (keyboards, track 11) all contributing great individual performances to the finished CD. Throughout this album the musicians involved exhibit a love for, and genuine understanding of the music they're playing. It's only a matter of time untiI this album becomes as celebrated as the live band.