RATTLE ON THE STOVEPIPE - Through The Woods
WildGoose Studios WGS432CD
From light and lively through to mournful, this latest album demonstrates Rattle On The Stovepipe’s mastery of its chosen musical medium – Appalachian music and song – into which they’ve grafted a couple of newer songs (including an interesting version of Si Khan’s Gone, Gonna Rise Again), and one composed by Dave Arthur. Dave’s capacity for knitting different versions of songs together can also be heard being used to great effect more than once.
But what will draw you in on this recording is the tightness and proficiency of the musicianship, whether it’s used as accompaniment for the songs or on instrumental pieces. Which is, of course, no more than you’d expect from musicians of Pete Cooper’s caliber – or, indeed, of Dan Stewart’s. The instruments never overpower the vocals, and in fact provide an extra voice, a commentary on the words of the song. Pete and Dave share out the vocals, which adds to the variety.
This is all as it should be with a line-up that’s been together for a good few years now. And make sure you read the sleeve notes; they contain a wealth of interesting background. What makes this CD so listenable (even to a bigoted British Isles traditionalist like me) is the fact that no one’s attempting to steal the limelight; there are just three first rate artists working towards a common goal – and achieving their target.
www.wildgoose.co.uk
John Waltham
This review appeared in Issue 133 of The Living Tradition magazine