Customer Reviews

Live at the West End Cultural Centre

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

 

 

In concert, Scruj MacDuhk presents themselves as a dance band. And they are indeed a good dance band. But they're far more than that. There are few goups in the world of Celtic music with vocals anywhere nearly this good. Dodge the temptation to sing along, and listen to the tight harmonies of their choruses; at a recent folk festival I had the opportunity to hear them a capella, and they have the vocal power to pull that off--rare for a "dance band." But an even greater asset is Ruth Moody's voice. It's hard to believe that at age 27, she's the old-timer of this band--but not hard to believe that she apparently had five years of classical voice training before shifting to Celtic. This is a very good group. Too bad they're not better known in the U.S. (and that their studio album, "The Road to Canso," isn't available in this country. Expect to hear more from them, nonetheless--and meanwhile, buy this album!

Having seen Scruj live a couple of times, and owning a copy of their studio release CD (see their website), I would consider myself a major fan. To quote a friend, "Are they French, Irish, or American Country?" Good question. Answer: all of the above.

Blending Irish folk music, french fiddles and lyrics, and country twang, Scruj manages to always be true to the styles they worship. Yet they are all so young! If you have not seen them or heard them, do yourself a favor and do whatever it takes! They play such wonderful music with a profound respect for it's origins and it's spirit.