Customer Reviews

Mermaid Song

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The Tannahill Weavers and The Battlefield Band are the two granddaddies of Scottish traditional bands. Both use pipes in a filled out band arrangement, and complement them with a more modern element (Tannies with guitar and bouzouki, B. Band with keyboards).

This CD is a one of the Tannies most consistent releases, and a good starter for people who want to hear what highland pipes can do outside a marching band setting. Some terrific pipe tunes turn up here (Greenwood Side, Elspeth Campbell, Kenny Gilles, The Fourth Floor, The Swallow's Tail), and flute and fiddle play an important role in the mix as well.

Song wise, two are mixed in with pipe tunes and are quite fun (Highland Laddie and Welcome Royal Cherlie). And the Tannies return to a tune from their very first release, 'Are Ye Sleeping Maggie,' with a new rendition featuring solid harmonies. Spanish Celtic music makes an appearance on A Bruxa, with a flute, guitar version I like better than the Milladoiro recorded tune that inspired it. And the last track on Mermaid's Song is a simple number on two tin whistles. This was supposedly an emergency number in concert should somebody break a string! Lovely little tune.

But the big standout for me is the set named after the CD's title. It starts with a lovely slow flute number, moves into a jumpy strathspey on fiddle, then the Tannies just take off as the pipes come in. One of my favorite moments in Celtic music.

From dreamy songs such as "Cuillins of Rhum," a sweet sentimental song about home, to the rousing "Highland Laddie," expressing such sentiments as "Satan sits in yon black nook/ Breaking sticks to roast the duke," it is all done superbly. The singing is lovely and sweet and the pipes are splendid. I can find no fault whatsoever with it.

This album starts off with tunes you can't help but dance to. It also includes the lovely song Cullins of Rhum with vivid it's scenery, as well as Are ya Sleppin Maggie? which was the groups first recorded song. Filled with songs that you don't soon forget.