Old Blind Dogs Albums (10)
What The Critics Say
The Old Blind Dogs started their career as the brave young turks of Scottish folk music, but after more than 15 years of playing their music around the world, they've found themselves in a unique position: they're a veteran group that's still finding space to explore in the traditional music that's in their blood. 2007's Four on the Floor features the group tackling classic folk numbers alongside contemporary compositions (leading off with a fine version of Ewan McCall's "Terror Time"), and while their interpretations of traditional pieces are respectful, they don't treat them as museum pieces, as the contemporary rhythms on "Harris Dance" and "Braw Sailin'" confirm, while their perspective on modern music makes for an engaging fusion of past and present. The group's ensemble playing is graceful, intuitive and bracing, while fiddler Jonny Hardie, piper Rory Campbell, bassist and guitarist Aaron Jones and percussionist Fraser Stone all display virtuoso skill when they're asked to solo, though they have the taste not to overstay their welcome when they do. Four on the Floor also finds the Old Blind Dogs revisiting a bit of their musical past, re-recording their medley of "Bedlam Boys" and "The Rights of Man" which appeared on their debut album, and closing with two live tracks of audience favorites recorded on a recent tour of the United States. Anyone who loves Celtic music will tell you that few groups can match the Old Blind Dogs, and Four on the Floor offers further proof they play this music with both passion and an impressive technical excellence; both fans and new listeners will be pleased. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
As one of Scotland's finest traditional bands, Old Blind Dogs have been giving the mighty Tannahill Weavers a run for their money since the group was first formed in 1990. They boast a nearly unbeatable array of strengths: a powerful lead voice in Jim Malcom, fine vocal harmonies, a top-notch fiddler (Jonny Hardie) and piper (Rory Campbell), and all-purpose strings man (Aaron Jones), as well as the unusual but always tasteful contributions of young percussionist Fraser Stone. A live album is long overdue, and this one doesn't disappoint. The sound quality is excellent, clear and balanced, and the performances mostly bristle with energy. Only the instrumental set "Sky City" fails to really catch fire -- everything else, from a rollicking rendition of the traditional song "Battle of Harlaw" that opens the album to the gorgeous and spare "Wild Rumpus" reel set that closes it, is by turns irresistibly energetic and seductively beautiful. Other highlights include a sturdy rendition of the classic Robert Burns song "A Man's a Man for A' That," a funky arrangement of "Kincardine Lads," and a lovely set of Breton and Galician tunes. Very highly recommended to all fans of Celtic music. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Old Blind Dogs' third release for the Green Linnet label finds the band continuing to explore Scottish musical traditions both old and new with traditional tune sets and original songs, as well as expanding its repertoire to include music from Brittany and Galicia (the Celtic region of northern Spain). Not all of the band's stylistic experiments are unqualified successes -- singer Jim Malcolm's blues harmonica on "Whistler is technically impressive, but not a very good idiomatic fit -- but most of them are. Highlights include an unusual rendition of the bothy ballad "Bogie's Bonnie Belle" (cf. Richard Thompson's more anglicized version on the Watching the Dark compilation) and a lovely version of the night-visiting song "Moneymusk Lads," on which the group sounds a bit like a younger Tannahill Weavers with ethnic percussion. But the best moments come on the achingly beautiful Breton and Galician tunes, and on a rollicking rendition of the well-known shanty "Rolling Home" that closes the album. Recommended. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
'The World's Room'
Release Date 10/12/1999
Tracks 10
Label Green Linnet
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
With harmonica and conga drums in the mix, you know that Old Blind Dogs are not the kind of traditional Scots musicians who waste too much time worrying about authenticity. But their overall sound is one that will appeal greatly to fans of the Battlefield Band and, especially, the Tannahill Weavers, a group whose vocal approach is quite similar to that of Old Blind Dogs. This band's secret weapon is piper Rory Campbell, who composed a number of the tunes on this album and who also plays a mean low whistle. Singer and guitarist Jim Malcolm does himself proud on the rollicking "Forfar Sodger" (one of many tracks that benefit greatly from the percussion of Paul Jennings), and the group's ensemble singing is especially attractive on "To the Beggin' I Will Go," the album's lead track. The instrumentals are even better; "Roslin Castle," an ancient and melancholy air, is given a minimalist and almost spooky arrangement for fiddle, whistle, and guitar, while Campbell's "Soup of the Day" is underpinned by what sounds suspiciously like a drum loop. Excellent. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The fifth record from these Scottish folkies introduces new member Fraser Fifield on pipes, whistles, and sax. His presence is immediately felt on "Trip to Pakistan," a Scotland meets the Mideast instrumental seasoned by Fifield's border pipes and Davy Cattanach's hand drums. Cattanach opts for a similar percussive cadence on several selections; in fact, Old Blind Dogs seem committed to uniting diversified cultural and musical elements. Abandoning its customary dirge-like shroud, "Parcel of Rogues" adopts a surprising upbeat and almost cheerful arrangement creating an interesting instrumentation-to-lyric paradox. Similar (but not equivalent) to classical music's canon, Old Blind Dogs have the tendency of starting small, building on a theme, and ending with a flourish. Their core members are Johnie Hardie on fiddle and mandolin, Buzzby McMillan on cittern and bass, and lead vocalist Ian Benzie. Together they display an acute awareness of the celebrated path the Scottish musical tradition has traversed and the possibilities that lie ahead. They delight in creating just enough bumps and detours on that road to keep things fresh. ~ Dave Sleger, All Music Guide
