The “Scottish harp” and “Shetland fiddle” descriptions below Catriona McKay and Chris Stout’s names on the cover of the duo’s first album since 2005’s exceptional Laebrack seem like quaint understatements alongside the music that they play. McKay frequently sounds as if she’s playing not just the harp but a whole rhythm section of string and fretted instruments, and while Stout undoubtedly has the Shetland fiddling tradition in his soul, the restless quest for adventure that has seen him experimenting and collaborating with Brazilian, Scandinavian and even Singaporean musicians brings an immense richness of tone and expression to his playing. White Nights itself may well be a slight understatement. It doesn’t quite capture the sheer vigour and excitement of their live performances, but from the spare, soulful impressionism of the opening track Missing You, through superbly atmospheric reel, jig and hymn tunes, to the bracing exuberance of Edges & High Water, this is still wonderful music played by musicians who are at the top of their game.
