OneTouch Theatre, Eden Court, Inverness, 27 October 2009

THE GAELIC phrase ‘Sruth ri Steall’ in effect means, ‘the meeting of like minds’, and the final gig of the tour put together by Mary Ann Kennedy of Watercolour Studios in Ardgour was designed to be just that.

Finlay Napier

Financially supported by Highland Homecoming and Homecoming Scotland, this was a showcase of some of the bands and singers who have played their way through the doors of the old Watercolour Studio, as the Studio itself relocates to brand new purpose built premises on the shores of Loch Linnhe.

The OneTouch Theatre at Eden Court played host to this cleverly crafted programme of eclectic performances, designed to profile the differing genres of music which Mary Ann and Nick Turner have worked with at the studios over the years.

First on stage was the Sorren Maclean Band from the island of Mull. Singer-songwriter MacLean plays guitar and is accompanied on vocals and double bass by father Gordon, and on drums and vocals by Lewis Mackenzie. Having travelled the well-worn path of so many Scottish singer-songwriters before him, Sorren is rapidly making a name for himself as one of Scotland’s freshest roots-pop singers and delivers his own compositions such as ‘Bus Tax and Bars’ and ‘Broken Stones’ with a confidence and style that is rarely seen, and yet at times, is also jarringly vulnerable.

Punchy, catchy numbers telling serious stories seem to be becoming his trademark style. It was occasionally difficult to distinguish lyrics in his vocal delivery but that may have been due to difficulties with sound rather than any vocal failings. Maclean’s music may not be the style of music likely to appeal to a more mature audience, who might find the slightly repetitive nature of some of the lyrics and musical lines (a ‘hook’ popular in pop music today) a bit too ‘pop-py’, but the younger audience will love him.

John Goldie is well known as one of the world’s top jazz guitarists, and deservedly so. In the last year he has teamed up with Angus Lyon and Duncan Lyle, who are better known as traditional musicians, and together they have developed an intriguing and exciting new musical genre.

John’s effortless style was well partnered with the quirky, imaginative and innovative accordion and bass of Lyon and Lyle. All of the tunes played were original apart from a cover of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Isn’t She Lovely’, which was a definite crowd pleaser.

Tunes such as ‘Funky Fanjango’ and ‘An Honorary Scot’ (the latter is dedicated to guitar supremo Martin Taylor) gave Goldie the chance to display his both delicate and enervating touch and virtuosity. A combination of flavours and textures which deserves to be seen much more frequently on the Festival and concert circuit – something truly fresh and new.

Finlay Napier and his Bar Room Mountaineers provided a complete contrast to Goldie’s set – a set full of lyric-strong songs, with strong, driven and almost pop-inspired touches. Napier provides us with stories which are deceptively simple in tone, such as ‘When Harry met Charlie’ and ‘He’s Such a Sweetie’, but which have underlying depth of emotion and passions.

Simple, strong and sweet occasional harmonies from fiddler Gillian Frame compliment the arrangements very well, and the rest of the line up provide tight yet flexible and consistent back up. An interesting mix of styles from country and western to trad to jazz and pop folk. The Mountaineers sure could entertain a Bar Room anywhere in the world, and emerge alive.

Final set of the night was by Mary Ann’s own brand of Gaelic ‘Boy Band’, ‘Na Seoid. Well beloved of Gaelic audiences everywhere, the balaich (Lads) performed their own blend of solo and ensemble pieces including the ‘from the heart’ song ‘Na Gaidheal am Basra’ by Dingwall Gaelic teacher Tormod MacArtair, from his own experiences of watching the Black Watch march off to war – what has changed since they marched off to previous wars?

There may have been momentary tempo glitches in odd moments of the ensemble instrumental playing, but again that may have been down to difficulties in band members hearing everyone in such a large group.

The lads are at their best when they perform such close harmony pieces as ‘SÏos dhan an abhainn’, a capella and together with Kennedy, a simple song with nuances and whispers of other lands, customs and vocal styles, and is all the more effective for the different textural layers of harmony . A relaxed simple and effective set , the ‘craic’ and rapport on stage was appreciated by the audience.

An eclectic and unusual blend of musical styles certainly kept the audience entertained. No one style predominated, and no one band triumphed over the others. The mix was the gem of this evening, keeping audiences wondering what would happen next.

To suit all ages and musical proclivities, Watercolour proved that its not just a teuchter’s studio set in a geographical hinterland. Definitely a meeting of like minds, creatively speaking, but equally definitely a colourful collection of musical individuals.

© Fiona Mackenzie, 2009

Links

• Watercolour Studio
• Fiona MacKenzie