The Columbia Gypsy
Smithfield Fair
The Winter Kirk
Stevenson Productions (2001)
http://www.smithfieldfair.com
O lord of the highlands
Thy people cry for thee
Thy fold gather and look to the hills
Awaiting thy word and deed.
Scottish-Americanism continues to shine on long after other inherited ethnicities have faded. We reference with pride ancestors who came over before the Revolution from Ulster, and we persist to reference them even as we ignore the yodels and windmills and beer steins in our heritage. It is as if Scotland were some irresistible dark, passionate force transcending time. What sound is so comforting as the blast of the highland pipes?
Smithfield Fair is from Baton Rouge and The Winter Kirk is a very pleasant all-acoustic album of songs that can be played for Christmas. Juxtaposed are carols, Celtic hymns, and a few contemporary items. The band centers on Scottish heritage rather than on a progressive Celtic sound, something like what you would expect to hear at the Highland Games. Some of the tracks do have a progressive spice, however, and these are the most fun. My favorite is the peppy etno-reggae "Deck the Halls," with accordion. Most of the rest is calm and fairly traditional and possibly Welsh for Christmas at home. If you listen, you might hear a capella vocals on "What Shall I Give Him" to the tune of "Ash Grove," an accented reading of the 23rd Psalm by Tom Murray, Sr., rich male vocals and guitar on "Abide With Me," or a Scottish lullaby with small pipes and guitar. One contemporary song, "Lord Of the Highlands" is upbeat and similar to the sounds that come out of the Motherland today and "What Child Is This" also is done with a contemporary flavor.
A few of the tunes feature Dudley-Brian and Jan Smith's daughter Clare on vocals; I'd like to get her together on a duet with my 7th grade son who loves to sing!
The last tune is a shortish clip of "Amazing Grace" on highland pipes, and that always makes me smile!