The Old Blind Dogs started their career as the brave young turks of
Scottish folk music, but after more than 15 years of playing their music around the world, they've found themselves in a unique position: they're a veteran group that's still finding space to explore in the
traditional music that's in their blood. 2007's
Four on the Floor features the group tackling classic
folk numbers alongside contemporary compositions (leading off with a fine version of
Ewan McCall's
"Terror Time"), and while their interpretations of
traditional pieces are respectful, they don't treat them as museum pieces, as the contemporary rhythms on
"Harris Dance" and
"Braw Sailin'" confirm, while their perspective on modern music makes for an engaging fusion of past and present. The group's ensemble playing is graceful, intuitive and bracing, while fiddler
Jonny Hardie, piper
Rory Campbell, bassist and guitarist
Aaron Jones and percussionist
Fraser Stone all display virtuoso skill when they're asked to solo, though they have the taste not to overstay their welcome when they do.
Four on the Floor also finds
the Old Blind Dogs revisiting a bit of their musical past, re-recording their medley of
"Bedlam Boys" and
"The Rights of Man" which appeared on their debut album, and closing with two live tracks of audience favorites recorded on a recent tour of the United States. Anyone who loves
Celtic music will tell you that few groups can match
the Old Blind Dogs, and
Four on the Floor offers further proof they play this music with both passion and an impressive technical excellence; both fans and new listeners will be pleased. ~ Mark Deming
