LAURA McGHEE - Celticana

From Tayside, LAURA McGHEE's album , “Celticana” has been getting some rave reviews.
As the album title suggests, like David Ferrard’s album, this is a mix of Celtic and Americana music. The young Taysider, who is a superb fiddler, travelled to Nashville to record the album, although most of the material is self penned.
The stand out track for Country fans, has to be “Memphis Crawl” which she co-composed with Jim Lauderdale. She came up with the tune, and Jim provided the words.
The fiddle also comes out strong on “Ain’t Convincing Me” and “Radio Love”, whilst “Careless” is a raunchy Country rock number which is really catchy.
Laura has a very individual vocal style, the closest comparison I can think of, being Carlene Carter. But add her vocals to her fiddling prowess and her songs, and Laura is certainly someone we should be proud of.

DAVID FERRARD - Across The Troubled Wave

DAVID FERRARD is an American born folk singer based in Edinburgh.
His new album, “Across The Troubled Wave” (Alter Road Records) is a very interesting collection of songs that bridge traditional Scottish folk to old time American music.
The album kicks off with Pete Seeger’s “Peg And Awl”, which has a wonderful old timey bluegrass feel to it. Other tracks with a Country feel include “Calling My Children Home”, and “Hard Times Come Again No More”.
“A Rovin- On A Winters Night” is based on Doc Watson’s version, but on the sleeve notes, David highlights the similarities of this American traditional number, with Robert Burns.
And that’s a theme that runs through the album, It’s a real mix of Celtic and wonderful old time music, recorded in North Carolina, and beautifully packaged.
David has built up quite a following in recent months, with shows at Glasgow Americana Festival.
A really enjoyable listen. Available from www.davidferrard.com

ARTHUR POTTINGER - Tracks In The Snow

ARTHUR POTTINGER is from the northern isles, and has been singing Country music since the 1950’s. He was a well known figure on the Scottish Country scene, playing with a number of bands, and has made a couple of albums, for Grampian Records in the 60’s and Orkney’s Attic label in the 80’s.
He sang with the late Thomas Fraser. Whilst Fraser was best known for reviving old Jimmie Rogers songs, it was Hank Snow who was Arthur’s major influence.
For his new release, “Tracks In The Snow” on Caithness based Pan Records, Arthur has recorded a dozen songs made famous by “The Singing Ranger”.
He has avoided the obvious choices of “I’ve Been Everywhere” and “Movin’On”, but does include “A Fool Such As I “ and “I Don’t Hurt Anymore”, as well as lesser known Hank Snow songs like “The Gold Rush Is Over”, “Beggar To A King” and “Honeymoon On A Rocket Ship”.
Throughout the album, Arthur is in fine voice, and the instrumentation is superb, with Philip Anderson, Gordon Gunn, Bryan Coghill, Richard Nelson, Robert Cameron & Manson Grant all playing on the album.
This is a superb tribute to Hank Snow, but also a great album for Arthur Pottinger.
A definite must have for any traditional Country music fan
Available from www.panrecords.co.uk, or Tel 01955 602646.