Hamish Napier
The Railway
Strathspey Records
Trains and the lines they follow have inspired composers, poets and artists the world over virtually since the first tracks were laid. The Railway that multi-instrumentalist Hamish Napier is concerned with here, however, is the one closest to his home, the Speyside line, and through music, a couple of songs from his brother Finlay and the distillation of railway workers’ recollections he has captured the scenery, stories, facts and characters involved in its heritage.
It’s a handsome package with a booklet containing photos, lyrics, interviews, background information on the line itself and insight into the inspiration behind the tunes. These variously dance through some of Scotland’s finest scenery, convey personal romances and as diesel trains replace steam engines, roar along with Ross Ainslie’s pipes setting a fearsome, exhilarating pace.
With an instrumental cast also including guitarist Ewan Robertson, multi-string player and arranger Patsy Reid, bassist James Lindsay and drummer-percussionist Fraser Stone, Napier carries off this commission from Karen Blessington (the Grantown East: Highland Heritage & Cultural Centre’s guiding spirit) with skill, creating contrasts between sweeping grandeur, maverick engineers, the deadly intervention of Dr Beeching and the jauntiness of a family day out.
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