Old Blind Dogs - Play Live

(June 2005) 13 tracks: The Battle of Harlaw * Sky City * The Wisest Fool * Cuilfhionn / The Rejected Suitor * Kincardine Lads * Breton / Galician Set * Young Edward * Soup of the Day * Tramps and Hawkers * The Battle of Waterloo * Lochanside * A Man's A Man For A' That * A Wild Rumpus.

Old Blind Dogs have been at the cutting edge of the Scottish roots revival for over 15 years, since forming in fiddler Jonny Hardie's native Aberdeenshire.

All of the energy and excitement of Old Blind Dogs' live shows are included here on Play Live, which was recorded during their Spring tour of the US and Canada in 2004. Live tracks from Chicago's renowned Old Town School of Folk Music (where they performed two shows with John Renbourn) and The Tulsa Theatre for the Performing Arts are featured on this CD.

Dynamic percussion, bluesy harmonica and smoking smallpipes blend with fiddle, whistle, cittern and Jim Malcolm's rich vocals. Wonderfully polished, the arrangements are, as always, both tight and constantly surprising as the band fuse originals with the traditional.

Old Blind Dogs were named Folk Band of the Year 2004 at the Scots Trad Music Awards, while lead vocalist Jim Malcolm picked up the coveted Songwriter of the Year award.

Rory Campbell (border pipes, low whistle, backing vocals), Jonny Hardie (fiddle, vocals), Aaron Jones (bouzouki, backing vocals), Jim Malcolm (guitar, lead vocals) and Fraser Stone (percussion).

"Old Blind Dogs have just gotten better and better with each album and tour, and are one of the best living examples of the humor, passion and majesty that imbue Celtic music." (Dirty Linen Magazine)

"Caledonian groovery" (The Scotsman)