Capercaillie - At The Heart Of It All (2013 Scotland) @320

The Scottish folk scene is booming, and Capercaillie can take much of the credit. For the past 30 years they have revived and reworked Gaelic traditional music, while introducing new songs and exploring new musical settings. It has been a bold, sometimes uneven project that has seen them experimenting with synthesisers and programmed drums, but this anniversary set is a reminder of their exquisite acoustic work. It's dominated by the fine, pure vocals of Karen Matheson, who is equally at ease with rapid-fire "mouth music" as she is with an emotional Gaelic lament about a 17th-century drowning, and there is classy backing from a band that includes pianist Donald Shaw, of Celtic Connections fame, and master flautist and piper Michael McGoldrick. There are contributions from Scotland's new folk elite, including Julie Fowlis and members of Lau, and there's still an experimental edge, with a dash of jazzy brass added in.


01. S'Och A' Dhomhnaill Oig Ghaolaich.mp3
02. The Strathspey Set.mp3
03. Ailein Duinn Nach Till Thu An Taoblh-Seo.mp3
04. The Jura Wedding Reels.mp3
05. At The Heart Of It All.mp3
06. Abu Chuibhl'.mp3
07. The Marches.mp3
08. Nighean Dubh Nighean Donn.mp3
09. Fainne An Dochais.mp3
10. Cal's Jigs.mp3
11. Lament For John 'Garve' MacLeod Of Raasay.mp3


Karen Matheson: Vocals
Michael McGoldrick: Flute/pipes
Mánus Lunny: Bouzouki, Guitar, Vocals, Wind Synthesizer
Charlie McKerron: Fiddle
Ewen Vernal: Bass, Guitar, Vocals
Donald Shaw: Accordion, Keyboards

Album guests include :
Julie Fowlis, Kathleen MacInnes, Darren MacLean, Sineag MacIntyre and Kris Drever. - Vocals
Gerry O’Connor - Banjo
Jarlath Henderson - Uilleann Pipes
Aidan O’Rourke - Fiddle
James Mackintosh - Percussion
Tommy Smith - Saxophone