In every human endeavor there are those talented few who rise to the top. When it comes to ballads, the name Charlie Zahm springs immediately to mind. No one in my experience can sing Scottish and Irish ballads like him. I have seen him perform several times and have several of his CDs and he is always well worth listening to.

His latest recording, Out of the Mist, is a collection of 13 beloved songs of Scotland. Produced by Zahm and Marc Moss in 2002, it features Zahm on vocals, guitar and pennywhistle. Guest musicians include Tad Marks on fiddle, Steve Hobson on lead guitar and Moss on bass, percussion and lead guitar. Although I have not seen it, a 60-minute video taped in Scotland is available as a companion piece to this CD.

It would be a grave injustice for a review of Zahm not to take a look at his complete body of work. He has at least 14 albums to his credit and his website lists at least 40 appearances during the last three months of this year alone. Many of these concerts are return appearances, so it is obvious that Zahm has a loyal body of fans who truly appreciate his talent.

The recording opens with a lively version of the traditional patriotic song "The Bluebells of Scotland." "When You and I Were Young, Maggie," although written by a Canadian for his seriously sick bride, evokes images of Scotland, and Zahm's treatment of this tender love song is touching.

"Hush, Hush" is a gentle yet poignant lullaby in which a mother is "trying to comfort her child as they are torn from their ancestral land and bound on an ocean voyage for Canada during the Highland Clearances."

I've heard and enjoyed "Dark Island" as an instrumental performed by several artists, but Zahm's vocal version gives this haunting melody a whole new meaning. Scots and would-be Scots the world over have done "Scotland the Brave" so often and in so many different ways that I flinch when this anthem, so identified with Scotland, begins. When I saw this song listed on the cover -- yep, you guessed it -- I flinched. Zahm's powerful rendition, however, makes it palatable.

The final track of Zahm singing "Amazing Grace" was recorded live and a cappella in audio and video at Iona Abbey on the island of Iona. Making this daunting feat more amazing is the fact that it was done in one take.

Other memorable songs on the recording include: "Kelvin Grove," which is about a soldier saying goodbye to his love and this special place in Glasgow; "I Hae Seen the Hielands" and "Loch Lomond." Also "Ring, Ring the Bluebells of Scotland," " Caledonia and Me" and "My Heart's in the Highlands."

Bottom line: you listen to Charlie Zahm for enjoyment and he does not disappoint.

- Rambles
written by Bill Knapp
published 9 November 2002

[ visit Charlie's website ]