My introduction to Old Blind Dogs came quite by accident. Idling at the CD carousel in a coffeehouse one winter morning a few years ago, I happened to pull The World's Room from the rack and was debating making a purchase based solely on appearance, when the barista offered to buy it back from me if I didn't like it. Can't beat a deal like that. Funny thing, though -- once the CD made its way into the car's player, I found myself reluctant to take it out again. I, like so many before me and since, fell hard and fast for this incredibly talented group of Scottish musicians before seeing them in the flesh or hearing them live.

Anything the Dogs choose to play becomes, for the audience, an auditory feast. And should you find yourself lucky enough to catch them in a live performance, consider that dessert has most definitely been served. Possessed of pure and natural talent, it seems unlikely any of them has need of practice or rehearsal, and changes to the lineup might go more or less unmarked were it not for the sudden appearance of a new face.

The Gab o' Mey, album No. 8 for the band, provides a first glimpse of new percussionist, Fraser Stone, who joined the Dogs in 2002 after the amiable departure of Paul Jennings. It is readily apparent that the band has found an able replacement and no loss of quality has been suffered. Across the short play list of 10 tracks are the exceptional talents OBD fans have come to expect. Consistently extraordinary, piper Rory Campbell also provides backing vocals on several songs, including a chant of sorts for "A Wild Rumpus." Not just another pretty voice, lead vocalist and guitarist Jim Malcolm adds harmonica to the list of things he does faultlessly and includes his original song, "The Wisest Fool," with the album's traditional ones. Buzzby McMillan offers his remarkable talent on bass and citern, as well as backing vocals. And fiddler Jonny Hardy remains unequaled on both sides of the big pond.

Peppered throughout the album are the traditional songs, pipe tunes and poems turned to song expected from a band as grounded in tradition as the Dogs. "Rolling Home" by fellow Scotsman Charles Mackay is one such poem, but with the twist of additional lyrics provided by Malcolm. And they cover Falkirk native Brian McNeill's "Lads o' the Fair" as if it were their own, proving yet again that you can teach Old Dogs new tricks.

- Rambles
written by Sheree Morrow
published 11 December 2004

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