Four On the Floor

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.