REVIEW FROM www.livingtradition.co.uk

Various Artists - The Carrying Stream - Scottish Tradition
Greentrax CDTRAX9020

This sampler and commemoration album consists of seventeen items form the rich archives of the School of Celtic and Scottish Studies of Edinburgh University. More specifically it draws from the published Scottish Tradition series of twenty in LP, cassette and CD form. These outstanding field recordings represent the efforts of such collectors as Calum McLean, Pat Shuldam Shaw, Hamish Henderson, et al.

This free-standing selection embraces the vocal (Gaelic and English), instrumental and story-telling tradition and includes the singing of such luminaries as Rev. William Matheson of North Uist, Joan McKenzie of Lewis and the virtuoso exponent of canntairach, Mary Morrison of Barra. Then there are tracks from Jeannie Robertson, Lizzie Higgins, Edith Whyte and Jimmy McBeath, plus the fine piping of P.M. Robert Brown and the master fiddling of Hector McAndrew.

The school’s Director, Margaret McKay states, in the fulsome accompanying booklet that this CD is dedicated to “all those connected with the school since 1951, its staff, students and those whose voices and artistry fill the collections”. It is simply, first class.

Geordie McIntyre