This CD is a definitive history of the development of the Northumbrian Smallpipes, providing the listener with a technically competent and musically interesting progression of folk tunes from the pipes of the 17th century to present day. For the aficionados of folk music, whether players of traditional instruments or those with a keen interest in the history and sound, this should be prescribed listening! For those people who merely like the sound of these mellow pipes or folk music in general, this is a pleasant and educative album -- though perhaps slightly daunting in its entirety and more readily enjoyed complemented by other CDs on a shuffle and random-play machine.

The CD is a compilation from the two seminal recordings of the Cut & Dry Band's releases on vinyl in 1976 and 1980 -- Cut & Dry Dolly and Cut & Dry #2. Alistair Anderson, Jim Hall, Carole Robb, Colin Ross and Anthony Robb are each accomplished smallpipes players, enhancing these recordings with English concertina, piano, flute, fiddle and viola, respectively. The album is a balanced repertoire of jigs, reels, hornpipes and airs, and even to the uninitiated, the charting of the musical history of the pipes is obvious as it unfolds from the simple, one-octave small pipe chanter to the fully chromatic 17-keyed chanter with the extra drone. The tunes start simply, within the scope of the original instrument, and progress to more complex pieces as the range is extended and the additional pitches allow for more sophistication and variety.

An undoubtedly enjoyable listening experience, the album still showed signs of age. Instead of remixing 25-year-old original tracks, wouldn't it have been great if these musicians could have reunited to record a fresh set? The clarity and sparkle of newer recording technology would have further enhanced an already exceptional standard of playing. Recorded sound cannot yet fully match the emotional intensity of live music, and any advantage should be utilized to imbue recording with something of the freshness of the live experience.

This is an intriguing series of glimpses into the musical expansion of the Northumbrian smallpipes; for the folk bystander, a quality album covering many familiar tunes, lovingly played by the Cut & Dry Band, but for the musician or folk historian, so much more. This is both an example of what may be achieved and what should be recognised; I would consider it an invaluable and eminently practical research device, providing pointers and goals in expertise and excellence for the musician -- not only the smallpipes player, but other disciplines as well. While not wishing to detract in any way from the entertainment value of this selection, I would consider it essential listening for students of folk and in particular, those who appreciate the pipes.

[ by Jenny Ivor ]
Rambles: 20 July 2002