Coigach Community Hall, Achiltibuie, 6 September 2006

Box Club

TO BE IN the audience when a new band launches itself on the music scene is a rare and memorable privilege, and one enjoyed by a fortunate crowd in Wester Ross. Bursting with energy and enthusiasm, Box Club took Achiltibuie by storm. “I’ve just heard some fantastic gigs at the Edinburgh Fringe,” said one listener, “but I’ve never enjoyed anything as much as tonight.”

With a frontline of four young virtuoso accordion players – Gary Innes, John Somerville, Mairearad Green and Angus Lyon – Box Club almost couldn’t fail to impress.

A strong accompanying team of Mike Bryan on guitar, Duncan Lyall on double bass and Martin O’Neill on percussion are an integral part of the Box Club sound. But what makes this band really special is the camaraderie, musical and personal, which pervades every set.

These guys are pals, and it shows. Their joy in the music, their tight and imaginative arrangements, the ease with which they communicate through music with each other and their audience are totally inspiring. Most of the music itself is composed by the band members – and fantastic tunes they are. Beautiful airs and driving, quirky rhythms.

Consummate musicians each one, the members of Box Club gave us some numbers in duos and small groups, a taster of what was to follow when all seven musicians hit the stage together.

And what a sound! Each musician weaving in and out of tunes seamlessly – no one performer standing out as a soloist for long, but always sharing the music with the others, with subtle blends of timbres and pitches. Subtle? Accordions? In this band, yes – and then also in-your-face when the music demands.

Respect is here, too, in spades. Respect for the music, for each other, and for the tradition itself. The first part of the concert featured the “Mini Box Club” – a dozen very young local accordionists playing beautifully arranged Highland tunes, including “Maggie West’s Waltz”, written by Box Club’s local girl Mairearad Green for her grandmother.

A very special moment. And at the end of the evening another tribute: a cracking set of tunes by some of Box Club’s own accordion heroes – Sandy Brechin, Blair Douglas, Donald Shaw and Phil Cunningham.

Box Club – a seven-piece band featuring four accordions. A bold experiment. And an experience not to be missed. Catch them as soon as you can!

(Box Club play at Drams in the Field, Glenelg, 8 September; Universal Folk Club, Glasgow, 11 September; Village Hall, Spean Bridge 13 September; and Hootananny, Inverness, 14 September.

© Valerie Bryan, 2006