REVIEW FROM www.livingtradition.co.uk

ROBIN LAING - Whisky And Death
Frisky Whisky FW001CD

Scotland’s very own ‘whisky bard’ continues his musical celebration of our national drink with the fifth album of songs in this niche genre that he has self-created. Not exclusively whisky related, though, as ale and gin are allowed cameo appearances, but anyway drink is pretty well involved throughout.

A supporting cast including Jenna Reid on fiddle, Conor Smith on multiple guitars and percussion, and Kevan O’Reilly on piano and keyboards collectively provide a very full production backing RL’s vocals throughout. (Over the course of this series of albums, Robin Laing’s contributions have declined from guitar and vocal, via vocals and occasional guitar, to a point where he now only sings – mind you, you can still catch his delicate guitar playing live, except when, as in February, following the disaster when BA lost his instrument on route to mainland Europe, he was reduced to performing unaccompanied.)

Some songs are obviously closely imbued with recollections of Robin’s encounters with particular people who he has met on his whisky travels, but are still entertaining. As in previous offerings, this is produced to the highest standard by David Scott – hats off to him again.

Robin has suggested in his sleeve notes that this may be the last of his whisky albums – having now cornered the market; maybe he’s contemplating an album of songs with a different subject matter. Having said that, you wouldn’t go to the trouble of forming your own Frisky Whisky label if you weren’t wanting to continue in this vein – particularly as he seems to have found the mother lode.

www.robinlaing.com

Grem Devlin