Borders Young Pipers

(Borders Traditions)

Following on from previous volumes that have showcased piping, fiddling, accordion playing and singing as thriving traditions with their own identity in the Scottish borders, this recording captures two accomplished musicians whose abilities on the bellows-blown pipes from their home territory are complemented by similarly expressive playing on flute (Thomson) and whistle (Waite). The tunes are both from either side of the River Tweed and drawn from further sources, including the inherently catchy Irish fiddlers' favourites Lucy Farr's and Drops Of Brandy. The quietly creative accompaniments, such as Stewart Hardy's small string section effect on the Fairly Shot O' Her set and Angus Lyon's inventive accordion on the opening Johnny Lad set, serve to highlight Thomson and Waite's fresh, flowing, vigorous and never over-ornamented approach to melody. Thomson emerges as a talented composer, too, with his Cally And Gavin's Wedding one of the stand-out tracks on an album whose natural, intimate sound quality makes it all the more enjoyable.