Old Blind Dogs may flirt with modern harmonies and ethnic percussion on Fit?, but when they sing an old Robert Burns song like "Is There for Honest Poverty" in their thick Aberdeen accents, you know they are traditional... more » Scottish musicians to the core. The Dogs mix old ballads like "Awa' Whigs Awa'," an 18th-century anti-British song, and "Reres Hill," which they perform with a Pentangle-like jazzy folk feel with lively sets of dance tunes like "Black-Haired Lad" and "Country Girl." The jigs and reels have a light, airy feel thanks to piper Rory Campbell, who eschews the more familiar Highland war pipes in favor of the smaller Border pipes, which have a softer, gentler tone. On Fit?, an expression of disbelief in their local Aberdeen dialect, Old Blind Dogs continue the tradition of high-energy playing and intensely felt singing that have made them one of the most popular contemporary Scottish folk groups. --Michael Simmons« less
Old Blind Dogs may flirt with modern harmonies and ethnic percussion on Fit?, but when they sing an old Robert Burns song like "Is There for Honest Poverty" in their thick Aberdeen accents, you know they are traditional Scottish musicians to the core. The Dogs mix old ballads like "Awa' Whigs Awa'," an 18th-century anti-British song, and "Reres Hill," which they perform with a Pentangle-like jazzy folk feel with lively sets of dance tunes like "Black-Haired Lad" and "Country Girl." The jigs and reels have a light, airy feel thanks to piper Rory Campbell, who eschews the more familiar Highland war pipes in favor of the smaller Border pipes, which have a softer, gentler tone. On Fit?, an expression of disbelief in their local Aberdeen dialect, Old Blind Dogs continue the tradition of high-energy playing and intensely felt singing that have made them one of the most popular contemporary Scottish folk groups. --Michael Simmons
Thomas Eden | Miami, FL United States | 02/07/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This band is amazing and this is my favorite cd of theirs (but all of them I've heard are great). I have been into Celtic music for a long time, but my teenage son and all of his friends love this cd, and they are mostly into punk and ska. The perfect blend of contemporary and traditional. Malcolm's vocals are smooth, deep and FIT? perfectly with the grooves of the tunes. The turns that most of the songs take keep everything exciting, especially the time changes. The instrumental mixes vary and are always played with the touch of a master. After listening to this cd 30 or 40 times you still have to hear it again and again."
Buy it.
Thomas Eden | 03/13/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I saw these guys recently in a small pub, in Talequah, Oklahoma of all places.
They were absolutely wonderful. Jim Malcolm has the voice of an angel. -What a range, smooth as silk, with a soulful power as well. Paul Jennings multi-ethnic percussion is a wonder to listen to, but even more entertaining to watch. This guy is pure energy with a deeper groove than an old 78.
The rest of the band are fantastic as well. If you can see them live, don't miss the chance. They are well worth it.Fit? is a great representation of the "New" Old Blind Dogs sound.
Some ultra snobbish traditionalists may not like the non-Scottish percussion, but these guys have not resorted to synths and over-produced tricks... it's just raw playing at it's finest... so I say just relax those rectal muscles a bit and give it a try.If you like it, get The World's Room.
If you are intrigued by Jim Malcolm's voice or song-writing... check out his new solo CD, Resonance... (try his website, if Amazon doesn't carry it.)"
Excellent!
AE | USA | 09/13/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have every OBD CD except for one, and although I wouldn't say this one is my favorite (that is always reserved for The World's Room) this is definently the CD that sticks out in my mind the most.It screams Scottish pride to me, really. A lot of the songs actually have a swanky, bluegrassy, almost country feel to them in parts (but not overwhelmingly or unpleasantly so), and I suppose that distinguishes it. Jim Malcom, as always, sings flawlessly. He brings a very smooth, sexy, irresistable flavor to the CD. All the CD's with Jim Malcom are wonderful (as his solo stuff is great too).
There are a fare bit of instrumental songs on Fit?...most featuring the star piping of Rory. I think the Piping is most exceptional on this CD, over all the others.But like I said, it screams Scottish pride. The songs selected, the tunes, the voices and instruments (even with that funky drum) make me feel alive and sunny and Scottish! And Jim's Aberdonian accent is a must hear!"
Just buy it.
Paul Bridges | California | 10/22/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Fantastic melodies, beautiful vocals, outstanding playing. I can't decide which I like better, "Fit?" or "World's Room". In either case, "Fit?" has become a CD that I don't file back into the bookshelf because I play it so much."