Bringin It Thegither
Ulster Scots Folk Orchestra
FGCD005

1. Missin Link: (Flooers O Edinburgh / Wind that Shakes the Barley / Corn Rigs) (2.59)
2. Willie Nicholl's Polka (1.49)
3. Fare Ye Well Enniskillen (4.10)
4. Wee Maggie Picken (1.51)
5. Dark Island / Athol Highlanders (4.04)
6. A Man's a Man for Aa That (3.44)
7. Killiecrankie (2.11)
8. Gold in Every Pocket (2.39)
9. Ca the Yowes (1.44)
10. Killaloe (2.08)
11. Muttonburn Stream< (1.46)br>12. Willie Gillilan (5.17)
13. William Orr's Farewell (3.12)
14. Blue Bonnets Over The Border (3.35)
15. Mr Lignite Man (3.44)
16. Nae Lambeg Dunners / Heights of Alma< (3.06)br>17. Hard Times (5.44)
18. Gran Time Cummin (3.26)

Fiona Trotter
Ian Burrows
John Trotter
Billy Teare
Bob Speers
Willie Drennan
Caroline Drennan
The Low Country Boys
Balnamore Primary School Pupils

The Ulster-Scots Folk Orchestra is an accomplished, versatile and hugely talented band of musicians, poets, folk singers, storytellers and dancers - custodians of the Ulster-Scots musical tradition. Following on from the success and critical acclaim of 'Planet Ulster' and 'Endangered Species' they have produced and inspirational new CD, 'Bringin' it thegither'

When I saw the orchestra perform in October at the Ballymena Arts Festival, so many aspects of that truly memorable evening left me with that "feel-good factor" - the buzz you get when you know you've witnessed something truly special. Some of the musicians had recently returned from a trip to Kentucky in the United States, taking their music into the schools and colleges there and exploring the links between the Ulster-Scots and Appalachian music.

The opening track on the album is the appropriately named Missin' Link - three reels of Scottish origin, popular not only in Ulster but across the Atlantic. There's some great fiddle playing her - music to lift your spirits, played both in the Ulster-Scots and Appalachian style. There are no less than three songs on this recording by the Ayreshire poet Rabbie Burns, whose contribution to Scottish folk music is immense. His works have captured the imagination of Ulster folk for generations and I can still remember my grandmother insisting she first recite the Selkirk Grace before tucking into a generous helping of homemade Scotch Broth!

The Orchestra's interpretation of the Burns' classic A Man's a Man for Aa That has more than a touch of originality about it. There's a lively version of the song Killiecrankie, cleverly expressing the futility of the massive loss of life at the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689. But the real gem here is the beautiful rendition of Ca The Yowes (sung by Fiona Trotter), where the poet demonstrates his flair for romantic verse.

The much-requested tunes Dark Island, Athol Highlanders and Killaloe are included, due to popular demand, while Blue Bonnets over the Border and Willie Nicholl's Polka have interesting arrangements, featuring the considerable talents of piper Ian Burrows. John Trotter has a fine voice and sings well on what is the original version of the well-known ballade, Fare Ye Well Enniskillen, while the naturally funny Billy Teare has a tongue-in-cheek look at the miraculous healing powers of the Muttonburn Stream (a song written by Billy's grandfather!) Then there's the tale of the bold Covenanter Willie Gilliland, as told by songwriter Bob Speers in his own inimitable way. Bob is a folk singer with an exceptional gift for telling a story in song.

I have always considered the Lambeg drum to be an awesome instrument, although I feel that it is often sadly under-estimated musically, even dismissed, in traditional circles. The Folk Orchestra is always keen to bring this unique part of Ulster's musical heritage to a wider audience and so the fife and drum are very much part of its live presentation. Nae Lambeg Dunners is a poem about a Co Antrim exile living in Canada, homesick for that familiar seasonal beat, longing to hear those distinctive downland rhythms dunnerin' o'er the fields - a sentiment I can fully identify with. The accompanying fifing tune Heights of Alma relates back to the Crimean War, while Gold in Every Pocket (Track 8) is a popular in County Antrim where the fife still frequently complements this unique goat skinned drum.

The singing of Balnamore Primary School pupils is an unusual musical departure and is very effective in the children's street song Wee Maggie Picken, but especially in the protest song Mr Lignite Man. The latter song exposes a potential explosive conservation issue surrounding the discovery of lignite coal near Ballymoney.

Willie Drennan's clever use of colloquial speech and the children's repetitive, hard-hitting response in the chorus line help to highlight this very real threat to farms, farmland, wildlife and countryside. The instrumental William Orr's Farewell is an outstanding composition by Willie Drennan, capturing as it does the last defiant moments of this lesser-known United Irishman as he faced the gallows with such dignity, quoting the 23rd Psalm. The evocative and heart rendering Hard Times is sung by Caroline Drennan, with some nice close harmony in the chorus.

The final track on the CD, Gran' Time Cummin, is a personal favourite. Sung to the tune of No Dark Valley, this Ulster-Scots poem was found inside an old Bible belonging to Jeremiah Meneely, who co-founded the famous prayer meeting in Kells' school-house that ultimately resulted in what has become known as 'The '59 Revival' - a revival of evangelical Christianity that swept across Ulster in 1859. Gran' Time Cummin is performed by The Low Country Boys from Co Down, who often accompany the Orchestra at some of their bigger concert venues. Here we have four part harmonies, banjo and mandolin, old-time gospel, hillbilly style - just wonderful!

The Ulster Scots Folk Orchestra is the genuine article. They play folk roots' music with a raw edge to it. There is a spontaneity to their life performance that gives the music a magical quality. They are passionate about what they do. But more than that, they enjoy every minute - and it's infectious. It becomes in effect a celebration, a truly cultural experience. From Cullybackey tae Kentucky, they are Bringin' It All Back Hame! - Colin J Agnew

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