KEITH MacLEOD - In My Fathers Words

Here's a new album from Caithness based KEITH MACLEOD , who will be known to fans of Manson Grant & The Dynamos, as Keith has regularly performed alongside Manson & Robert.
“In My Fathers Words” is a very apt title for this ten track original album. For all the songs were indeed written by Keith’s dad, David.
A few of songs may sound familiar, as several have previously been recorded by Manson, and Mike Devine.
The album is quite old fashioned sentimental Country, but Keith does the songs proud. Most are story songs, from “Boothill By The Depot”, about a dying hobo, to “Crazy Things” about the things kids say, to the different emotions of joy & sadness in “Heather’s Tears”.
The CD booklet has the lyrics, and each song is introduced by David. Not only people & situations, but a variety of places from Dornoch to Watten inspired these songs.
The instrumentation is superb. Charlie Arkins plays harmonica & fiddle, Richard Nelson on Steel , and John Macrae on pipes, adds to Keith’s musicianship on all other instrumentation.
There’s no doubt that there is a huge Manson Grant influence on the album’s sound, but Keith really does a great job on these songs. He’s certainly done his dad proud!
Available from Pan Records (www.panrecords.co.uk, or Tel 01955 602646)

SPRINGFIELD - For Sale

A long overdue album from WEst Lothian based club band SPRINGFIELD has just arrived.
The quartette, led vocally by Jim Brett, are one of the longest running bands in the Central belt.
This album, recorded in Lanarkshire features Jim, alongside fellow members Crawford Brown, John McPherson and big Tom McCarthy, with guest musicians Willie Gamble on steel and Steve Johnson on piano.
The choice of material is really varied from the title track, “For Sale” (Heather Myles), through classics like “Louisiana Saturday Night”, “Bandy The Rodeo Clown” and “I’m Gonna Change Everything”, to lesser known covers like Paul Overstreet’s “Love Never Sleeps”, which opens the album, Travis Tritt’s “Sometimes She Forgets” and “Mary’s Just A Plain Jane”, previously recorded by Rick Trevino.
A great variety of material, well produced, right here in Scotland.
If you’ve seen Springfield, you’ll know what to expect. This album will be well worth picking up the next time they visit your club.