Beautiful Bluegrass Burns Interpretations
author: Edward Burke, WORLD MD
Scotland\'s most famous poet of antiquity gets the bluegrass treatment in this rough-around-the-edges-but-not-without-heart album from Bob Hay and Company. With arrangements which wouldn\'t have been out of place on the movie \"O Brother Where Art Thou\", Burns\' poetry is heightened with a lively, folksy edge which renders the music fit for Celtic and bluegrass fans alike. Performances of note on the album are Bill David\'s mandolin work, Hay\'s plucky banjo, and his slight vocal twang. Needless to say it sounds like he is definately at home in bluegrass music.
Tracks not too miss are \"For a\'That\" and \"Bard of No Regard\", both of which have the same melody, and seem to comment on the human experience....indeed these are my two favorite tracks on the album. Brian Crum adds great perucssion work to the upbeat \"Rantin\', Rovin\', Robin\', and Hay holds his own on solo guitar on \"Collier Laddie\", and \"For a\'That\".
Those wishing an introduction to the poetry of Robbie Burns could do not better then this highly-accessbile recording. Also reccomended is The Jolly Beggars\' other album: \"Tam Lin, and Other Songs by Robert Burns\".
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author: Michael Andrews
Anyone who's paid attention to Athens, Ga.: Inside/Out might not expect former members of Athens spazz-dance troupe the Squalls to offer up this straight-faced collection of olde-time folk tunes. However, that's exactly what we've got: 11 tracks of drinkin', letchin' scufflin' and dyin' all from the pen of 18th century Scottish poet Robert Burns.
Singer/ banjo man Hay is joined by fellow Squalls Ken Starratt (bass) and Diana Torell (fiddle), along with Dave Dowless (guitar) and Bill David (mandolin); this project started out as a gang of friends trading old folk tunes and reels around Starratt's kitchen table, and it feels as down-home as it sounds.
From the good pick and kick of "Rob Mossgiel" to the beautiful refrain of "Bard of No Regard," Hay and his Beggars have diehard folkie fun with the often dour-themed material and it's damned near impossible to not either tap your toes or get the urge to raise a pint to them and theirs. So, if you're like me and actually liked the Mighty Wind soundtrack rather than simply the idea of it, then you're sure to flip your fizzywig over what the Jolly Beggars have to offer.
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