The CD features three new live tracks.
The Old Blind Dogs have been around, in one form or another, since 1990. With “Four on the Floor” (Compass), the band loses nothing of the creative energy that has made it one of the most popular traditional ensembles.
Of course, no traditional band blessed with so much inventiveness can play it straight all the time. On “Four on the Floor,” probably the best example of this spirit of invention is the band’s updated treatment of the old Scottish standard “Braw Sailin’.” Lots of artists and bands have performed the tune—including Kris Drever, on his recent CD (also from Compass), “Black Water.”
The Dogs take the old tune (first recorded around 1930, according to the Traditional Ballad Index) and teach it some new tricks, sailing it a few thousand miles southwest of Scotland to Jamaica. It works, mon.
I’m also a big fan of the CD’s second track, “Harris Dance,” which features some finger-twisting playing by Rory Campbell on the Scottish border pipes, propelled along with some furious percussion by Fraser Stone.
The band also provides a rare treat in the form of three live tracks, featuring tunes and sets previously recorded by the Dogs in previous incarnations.
The hottest track of the three is Aird Tanters/Branle, a strathspey that gives way to a Middle Eastern-tinged Scots folks dance tune—again, a tightly contained (but only just) ball of energy.
You can catch the band at the Tin Angel on Sept. 27, and Sept. 28, 29 and 30 at the Bethlehem Celtic Classic.