The band's first album was brilliant. The second, while good, took off in a completely different direction and bewildered the established fan base. But, with the release of Live, Enter the Haggis reasserts itself as one of the jolliest, most energetic bands of bagpipe rockers around.

The opening medley of "Scotland the Brave" and "Hava Nagila" sets the tone for the album, which keeps a steady pace with fun traditional ("Lanigan's Ball," "Star of the County Down") and nontraditional ("Ride My Monster," "Bagpipes on Mars") songs and blistering tune sets (of which "Arcturus," based around a variation on the traditional "Tam Lin," is the shiniest star).

Enter the Haggis, based in Ontario, had undergone a major upheaval with various personnel changes between the first and second studio recordings, and Aerials showed a band still finding its feet. On Live, equilibrium has been restored; vocalists Craig Downie, fronting the band on Let the Wind Blow High, and Brian Buchanan, who stepped into the spotlight for Aerials, have learned to share the stage without either overshadowing the other.

Downie also plays bagpipes, acoustic guitar and pennywhistle on this live album, which was recorded at a string of performances in April 2002. Buchanan plays fiddle and acoustic guitar. Others in the band are Trevor Lewington on vocals, electric guitar and acoustic guitar, Mark Abraham on backing vocals and bass guitar, and James "Seamus" Campbell on drums.

Many of the CD's 12 tracks are available as studio tracks on the earlier album, but Live captures the rough edges and raw energy of the EtH stage show. (And, having seen these guys perform on several occasions, I can testify to the treat they are!) Definitely consider adding this to your EtH collection -- and keep your eyes peeled for whatever's next on their plate!

- Rambles
written by Tom Knapp
published 9 August 2003

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