This latest CD
from the Shetland outfit was actually released in 2003, but Julie only
bought it for me this weekend 🙂 Hard to believe it’s nine years
since I first heard heard them playing at the Cambridge Folk Festival—
I’d never heard
of them then, and my mate Paul whose tent I was sharing had been
reluctant to go and see their session, expecting them from the
programme description to be playing ‘rumpty tumpty
music’. As it turned out, we liked them so much that we went to
see
their second session next day (and got them to sign a copy of their CD
for
Paul’s future wife).
Back to Midnight Rain, and I wasn’t surprised to see their usual per-album change of personnel and record company—
they now seem to be rather uneasy bedfellows with hardcore sixties Aran
sweatsters Steeleye Span, Pentangle and Lindisfarne– but I was
pleased to see Calum Malcolm
back at the mixing desk. This offering is a bit more soulful and
less manic than their previous outings, but still manages to mix new
songs, cover versions and traditional instrumentals to produce a take
on celtic fusion that’s recognisably their own. I’d have liked to
hear more of Paul Johnston’s guitar though; he’s a great acoustic
soloist, but there are only a couple of short flashes to be heard in
this selection.
For a (not overly
representative) flavour of the band and their music, check out this short video.