With a name like Ceilidh Minogue, how can you not give them a listen? This collection of fine Scottish musicians has been together for more than eight years, playing to delighted audiences not just in the United Kingdom but also in Dubai, Tunisia and Lithuania.

The opening set, "Miss Campbell's," has an international feel from the first few bars and later settles into the more traditional sound we associate with Scotland. This true Scottish ambiance is further evident on the wonderful "Oban" set, as it transports you to the mist-covered mountains and the scent of heather.

The beautiful "Greenhill," composed by band member Gavin Marwick, is soothing as a glass of fine malt on a cold winter evening as the fire glows. The band brings in sax and trumpet on the exuberant track "La Brass-thing" to great foot-shuffling effect. Then it is slow-down time and a gentle return to tradition for "Red Red Rose," with the beautiful fiddle playing of Marwick and Bob Turner's piano leading us into a wonderful arrangement of a familiar favourite.

This album of 12 tracks ends with "Waltzing Matilda" paired with " Farewell to Whisky" in a fitting close to a gorgeous CD.

by Nicky Rossiter
Rambles.NET
13 January 2007