The Scotsman -
...The Outside Track themselves, a young five-piece formed in 2005, don’t actually sing the song any more, but the freebooting theme continues in and their repertoire, which mixes material from Scotland, Ireland and Canada. Fiddler Lauren MacColl, a former BBC Young Folk Award winner, recently joined founding members Norah Rendell (flute, whistles, vocals), Fiona Black (accordion), Ailie Robertson (harp) and Alan Jordan (guitar, vocals), completing a vibrant, deftly aligned instrumental mix that gained in depth and attack after a diffident start. Rendell’s singing struck a piquant balance between forthright brightness and darker emotional hues, with highlights including the powerfully poignant Poor Old Hen and Karine Polwart’s superb, densely worded Thaney – a challenge for any singer to which Rendell rose admirably, even if she did take it a fraction too fast. Jazzy guitar and feisty rhythms lent further spark and spice, in a highly promising performance.
Sue Wilson |