REVIEW FROM www.livingtradition.co.uk

POOR ANGUS - Gathering
Borealis Records BCD227

Gathering is the culmination of two years of writing, playing and recording, which took this band to the top four (out of 300) in the CBC Searchlight Competition. They like to push out the boundaries of Celtic and folk whilst retaining the strong connection to both traditions.

Andrew Bryan picked up his first violin and honed his craft on cold endless winter nights in Canada. He also plays mandolin and guitar, sings, arranges and has recently taken to writing. Ross Griffiths is a master of the highland pipes, which lead to the uilleann pipes, tin whistles and flutes. He has played and written for many artists and gives the band their bass vocals. Brian LeBlanc is a multi-talented musician; he provides guitar, mandolin, bodhrán, lead and backing vocals. Joel Guenther is a veteran singer songwriter. His great sense of melody and lyricism are quite evident in the band’s repertoire. He provides rhythm guitar and arranges the band’s instrumentals. He also delivers strong lead vocals. DJ Moons’ bass playing gives Poor Angus a solid footing which is a more nuanced style, not the typical Celtic bassline, plays accordion and is a master on the piano.

Songs vary from up-tempo highland tunes, slow paced numbers with dramatic flute solos, more plaintive melodies and traditional reels. They also give a faithful rendition of Stan Rogers’ Barrett’s Privateers – a fine song.

Poor Angus is a two time winner of the Hamilton Music Award for Folk/Traditional Recording of the Year. This is a beautiful album which will surely lead to Poor Angus being recognised for their talent not only nationally but internationally.

www.poorangus.com

Kathy & Bob Drage