Aly Bain-Lonely Bird (Review)

Most of the tracks on Lonely Bird are split into seperate sections called "reels", though played as one continuous song, so don't get thrown off by the multiple titles of songs.

"Gillian's Reel/Charles Sutherland/Donald Stewart the Piper" starts off with the fun and quick Gillian's Reel, then moves to the slightly lower key of Charles Sutherland, then moves to the even lower key of Donald Stewart the Piper. Bain is a fantastic fiddler, and gives a real smooth sound, as opposed to Doucet, whose fiddling often has rough parts in it, to give a tougher sound.

"Mrs. Jamieson's Favourite" is a sweet, slow song. A gentle tune, it brings back visions of earlier times. It could be used in a documentary about folks during the Dust Bowl.

"Rosemary Brown" continues the traditional, nostalgic sound. The fiddle sounds like it's singing to you, and telling the listener a story. It's got a lot of heart, and Bain gets it across perfectly.

"Spey in Spate/Pottinger's Reel/Dowd's Reel" picks up the pace but continues the traditional sound. Both Spey in Spate and Pottingger's Reel sound like the soundtrack to a silent film, but Dowd's Reel has a very unique sound, like an old pirate tune. It's very cool. Bain knows his way around a fiddle, and just gives off that smooth sound.

"The Beauty of the North/The Pirate's Hornpipe" shows why Bain is considered the carrier of Shetland's musical torch. Having been tought by the reknowned Shetland fiddler Tom Anderson. Bain keeps the old sound alive, and does right by the old master.

"Midnight on the Water/Bonaparte's Retreat" paints a wonderful picture. Bain sets the tone so well with the powerful fiddle, and the gentle strumming of the guitar in the background combined with the pacesetting bass gives a perfect frame to this beautiful work of art. Then Bonaparte's Retreat kicks it back up, and Bain goes wild, practically bouncing his bow on the strings of the fiddle, and it's an awesome sound it gives off.

"Herr Roloff's Farewell" is a sadder tune, but a tune that also brings back that nostalgic feel, as if you're remembering an old friend. It's a soulful, heartfelt tune.

"Aly's Waltz" is a happy tune, with the traditional style mixed in with a hint of folk. It's a beautifully composed piece, and the piano and the fiddle are well matched.

"Annalese Bain/Phil Cunningham's Reel/Andy Brown's Reel" shows us nothing new, but "Lonely Bird" is a very solemn, depressing track, and in a bizarre way, it's very refreshing. Just when the depressing part ends, it turns into this dark carnival sound, like something from the Addams Family. Very fun, and humorus in a dark way.

"Weindia Little/Da Fasion O Da Delting Lasses/Da Black Hat" is that traditional song we keep hearing.

"Junior's Waltz" is fun, and a little different from the other traditional songs you hear on this.

"Captain Campbell/Earl Grey/Largo's Fairy Dance" end the album on a little more of an epical old time sound, well, as epical as old time songs could be.

The album is filled with good ole traditional songs, bringing up visions of times past, times that your great-grandparents lived in, times of the pioneers of the early-20th century. Unfortunately, there's not much wiggle room, and Bain confines himself to that genre for pretty much the entire album. He's talented, but keeps himself in a cage.

Recommended tracks: "Mrs. Jamieson's Favourite", "Rosemary Brown", "Midnight on the Water/Bonaparte's Retreat", "Herr Roloff's Farewell", "Lonely Bird"