JENNY MCBAIN embarks on a musical journey.

Anna Massie and Mairearad Green

AN EVENING at in the company of Anna Massie and Mairearad Green is a journey illustrated by music. The pair have collected tunes from all over the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia, along with a store cupboard of anecdotes for introductions. Their stage presence is characterised by a relaxed poise that comes from growing up as performers in the Scottish Tradition.

Their winter tour begins with Anna on guitar and Mairearad on box. The opening tunes hail from Orkney, then there’s a swift deviation to a quirky piece called ‘Tatties and Ham’ which Maireard wrote in reaction to disappointing meals they were served whilst on tour in Sweden and Denmark.

In fact, both young women seem to have a constant backing track of music running in their minds, alongside the usual monologue of thought. Much of it sees the light of day on stage and in recordings. Anna, for example, wrote a tune called ‘Lollipop Man’ as a tribute to being helped across the road by one in Glasgow’s West End when in mid-composition. She has even written a tribute to her duvet.

Throughout the set there is a sense of two musicians who are enjoying themselves and intuiting each other’s moves. ‘Tatties and Ham’ has lots of space between phrases. This gives the audience a chance to click their fingers, if they feel so inclined, whilst the performers take time to exchange conspiratorial grins.

Anna effortlessly switches instruments throughout the evening. Her fiddle playing has an easy lyricism which wraps itself around the listener, while her banjo plucking has a more immediate up-tempo effect. Both tackle jigs and reels with equal competence and confidence. Mairearad shines both on box and border pipes.

During Mairearad’s Homecoming piece there is an almost telepathic communication between the two musicians. Each takes it in turn to carry the slow air between guitar and box. This alternation is punctuated by moments of harmonisation.

There is no doubt that both Mairearad and Anna are seriously talented, able musicians who perform naturally and easily. Their laid back presentation raises interesting questions as to whether a bit more of a sense of drama might add to the occasion.

© Jenny McBain, 2009

Links

• Mairearad Green

• Anna Massie

• The Macphail Centre