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LINSEY AITKEN & KEN CAMPBELL - Kith And Kin

LINSEY AITKEN & KEN CAMPBELL - Kith And Kin
Bridgegate Music BMCD006

Authentic and assured, warm and inspiring, Kith And Kin beautifully blends traditional and contemporary influences in a marvellous example of Scots folk music and song. Linsey Aitken and Ken Campbell, two highly accomplished and polished musicians, with many years of experience, combine flawlessly, each seamlessly complimenting the other’s skills.

Of the 14 tracks, 11 are songs, all bar one having a chorus. Seven have been written by Ken, while four are traditional. Strikingly, in creating new compositions about historical and cultural events, Ken refreshes these for the present – thus he writes of indentured Scots sent to Barbados, of emigration and the Ring Of Aber, and includes a passing reference to The Parting Glass. The vocals are shared, with Linsey – whose voice has echoes of Sandy Denny – leading on four tracks, including an unusual version of The Wild Rover. Three tracks are cello solos. There are fine variations in pace and subject, with beautiful harmonies provided by the other.

Overall, the sound is full and rich, without ever being overpowering. The melodic, moody and sensual tones of the cello weave hypnotically throughout the album and seem an ideal fit for the songs. Fiddles, Northumbrian pipes, strings and percussion add to the mix.

The song lyrics, with detailed chord sequences and information about the tracks are on the duo’s website with the generous exhortation to “take them, sing them and play them”.

Kith And Kin exemplifies all that is best about Scots folk, integrating myriad strands to produce memorable and well-crafted songs.

www.linskenscotland.co.uk

Jim McCourt


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This album was reviewed in Issue 105 of The Living Tradition magazine.