Customer Reviews

Fit

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been a fan of Celtic music for some years now, particularly of the Irish and Spanish varieties. Up until very recently, however, the only thing I knew about Scottish music was the highland war pipes, tunes like "Scotland the Brave" and "Amazing Grace". Nice, but not something I listen to every day or even every year.

So it was quite a pleasant surprise when I noticed "Fit!" on a listening station at the local Borders shop. "Old Blind Dogs," I thought. "What an interesting name for a group!" So I gave it a try. And instantly fell in love with "Is There For Honest Poverty", particularly at the end when those wild border pipes kick in. I got the CD (and also "The World's Room", the group's next most recent title) for that track alone. It's just what I've needed the past month to help me cope with some serious blues. The tunes will not exit my cranium. In fact, I'm listening to "Fit!" right now, as I write this.

One of the biggest differences I've noticed between Scottish and Irish music, if the work of "Old Blind Dogs" is typical, seems to be that the Scottish is more mathematical in nature, whereas the Irish is more melodic. In particular, a number of the CD's bagpipe melodies tend to jump around quite a bit. Very odd intervals. For a computer programmer and mathematician like me, this is quite appealing. For the same reason I adore the music of Jose Angel Hevia, from northern Spain. But the more flowing, melodic sort of music is also very nice, and the group also handles this quite well.

It's hard to explain why, but the CD also reminds me of Gaelic Storm's most recent effort, "Tree". Something about the mood of the music, I think. Especially the purely instrumental pieces. I've been going back and forth between the two CD's quite a bit.

And, finally, there's that thick Scottish dialect. Thankfully I have the CD's linar notes and a copy of the Oxford English Dictionary, because otherwise I wouldn't have a clue what these guys are singing! Hardest to follow are the two Robert Burns songs, written over 200 years ago.

It appears that the group has changed its membership quite a bit over the past ten years, but I'm plenty happy with the current lineup. This CD is definitely worth a try! One of these days I'll try some of their earlier works.

This band is amazing and this is my favorite cd of theirs (but all of them I've heard are great). I have been into Celtic music for a long time, but my teenage son and all of his friends love this cd, and they are mostly into punk and ska. The perfect blend of contemporary and traditional. Malcolm's vocals are smooth, deep and FIT? perfectly with the grooves of the tunes. The turns that most of the songs take keep everything exciting, especially the time changes. The instrumental mixes vary and are always played with the touch of a master. After listening to this cd 30 or 40 times you still have to hear it again and again.

I saw these guys recently in a small pub, in Talequah, Oklahoma of all places.
They were absolutely wonderful. Jim Malcolm has the voice of an angel. -What a range, smooth as silk, with a soulful power as well. Paul Jennings multi-ethnic percussion is a wonder to listen to, but even more entertaining to watch. This guy is pure energy with a deeper groove than an old 78.
The rest of the band are fantastic as well. If you can see them live, don't miss the chance. They are well worth it.

Fit? is a great representation of the "New" Old Blind Dogs sound.
Some ultra snobbish traditionalists may not like the non-Scottish percussion, but these guys have not resorted to synths and over-produced tricks... it's just raw playing at it's finest... so I say just relax those rectal muscles a bit and give it a try.

If you like it, get The World's Room.
If you are intrigued by Jim Malcolm's voice or song-writing... check out his new solo CD, Resonance... (try his website, if Amazon doesn't carry it.)

I have every OBD CD except for one, and although I wouldn't say this one is my favorite (that is always reserved for The World's Room) this is definently the CD that sticks out in my mind the most.

It screams Scottish pride to me, really. A lot of the songs actually have a swanky, bluegrassy, almost country feel to them in parts (but not overwhelmingly or unpleasantly so), and I suppose that distinguishes it.

Jim Malcom, as always, sings flawlessly. He brings a very smooth, sexy, irresistable flavor to the CD. All the CD's with Jim Malcom are wonderful (as his solo stuff is great too).
There are a fare bit of instrumental songs on Fit?...most featuring the star piping of Rory. I think the Piping is most exceptional on this CD, over all the others.

But like I said, it screams Scottish pride. The songs selected, the tunes, the voices and instruments (even with that funky drum) make me feel alive and sunny and Scottish! And Jim's Aberdonian accent is a must hear!

Fantastic melodies, beautiful vocals, outstanding playing. I can't decide which I like better, "Fit?" or "World's Room". In either case, "Fit?" has become a CD that I don't file back into the bookshelf because I play it so much.

Sitting on the back patio, last rays of the sun peeking through the trees of the forest, glass of red by my side, BBQ slowly cooks, Old Blind Dogs "Fit?" blasts through the outdoor speakers over my shoulders...it is my soul music!!!
This effort even more brilliant than the last ("the world's room")...if you love, or just like modern celtic music buy this band's stuff!...

I had been looking for another Scottish traditional band sinse I have not cared for the last couple of the Battlefield Band's recordings ( I had been a major fan for 20 years) Someone had recommended Old Blind Dog. I really enjoyed the sound and feel of it, Their music energizes of a morning and makes me smile. The piping is fine but the percucssion is especially good. I guess I like Celtic music of all sorts to be aliving tradition... I need to hear more of Old Blind Dog to know what their sound is beyond this particular CD.Cuilfhionn is a particularly lovely piece (track 10)

(I really want to give this 4.5 stars...)

As I seem to have found most bands recently, I found out about OBD by doing a random search on Amazon. I prefer bands that can successfully blend the old with the new without getting perverted. "Perverted" in the way of utilizing strange instruments or overbearing electronic elements.

Initially OBD seemed to have a new sound that I could get into. After listening to a few samples I decided to purchase "Fit?". I received my copy yesterday and I am indeed impressed.

Jim's voice is... incredible. It has just the right tone and is perfectly clear and sharp. "Tramps and Hawkers" showcases this best, I think. I'd give my weight in gold to possess a voice and accent like that! Not to overlook the other members, I must note that they all seem highly competent and capable on their respective instruments. They play exceptionally well whether they are doing a solo or playing collectively.

The only marks I have against their style are that they use the drums a bit too much and they only play the border pipes. Ideally, I would play the drums less and toss in some occasional highland pipes. Nevertheless, these are wee quibbles and I know I should shut up.

I enjoy most of the tracks, but my top favorites are 3 - 5, 8, and 11. The first band I heard perform "Tramps and Hawkers" was the Battlefield Band, who did it rather slow; so when I heard Jim sing it I thought, "He does it too fast," but now his is my favorite version. The only two [tracks] I generally don't like are 7 (too slow) and 10 (too New Age).

I haven't investigated the other OBD releases much to this point, but if they are anything like this one I will surely pick them up also.

I've seen these guys 5 times in concert and this cd is the best yet!! The boys just keep getting better and better every time! I recommend this cd to any music lover!

Recently, a friend of mine went and saw The Old Blind Dogs in concert. He was so impressed that he sent me a copy of "Fit?"--their latest album. Now I too am deeply impressed and wish to encourage everyone to hear the wonderful music these gentlemen make.

"Fit?" is a more-than-solid album from start to finish. The first song, "Is there for honest poverty," is the greatest version of Robert Burns' "For A' That" that I have ever heard. From this great height things only get better.

I love the The Old Blind Dogs' percussion. It sounds great and It gives this music something special, a new life. And great music it is. There are several songs here that have become personal favorites. "Awa' Whigs Awa'" is a great anti-oppression song. "Tramps and Hawkers" is irresistible. "Come A' Ye Kincardine Lads" has even become one of my son's favorite songs (and he's a lot pickier than me).

This album has it all. It has hard driving songs, joyful songs, and songs that can only be termed smooth and introspective (check out Reres Hill). This disc has made a fan out of me.

I give "Fit?" my wholehearted recommendation.