Reviewed by Tony Cummings

The sudden availability in UK retail of the Ric Blair back catalogue has made available this intriguing instrumental item. Several of the songs are either taken from 'Song Of The Piper' which the band originally produced for Martingale Records, or other earlier recordings by the group. However, "The Glasgow Reel" is a brand new recording on which Ric plays acoustic guitar ably supported by his wife Yun on pennywhistle, Patrick D'Arcy on uillean pipes, Jeff Durham on percussion and Kim Haller on fiddle. They make a joyful noise which is impressively authentic so that as long as you are not a purist who insist that only Irish and Scottish musicians play Celtic music, you will enjoy these tracks. One special feature is guest Phil Keaggy who adds some bass guitar. Not exactly groundbreaking but a pleasing shot at the Celtic folk tradition.

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