Chuir I Gluin Air a Bhodach (She Put a Knee in the Old Man)/DJ MacLeod' - The Battlefield Band, Katz, Mike
Nancy's Whisky - The Battlefield Band, Traditional
If Cadillac Made Tractors.../Happy Birthday Fiona/MacFarlane's Rant - The Battlefield Band, Traditional
Camden Town - The Battlefield Band, Kilbride, Pat
James Cameron/Fosgail an Doras (Open the Door)/The Skylark's Ascension - The Battlefield Band, Holland, Jerry
Time and Tide - The Battlefield Band, White, Alasdair
The Bonny Jeannie Deans - The Battlefield Band, Reid, Alan
The Walking Nightmare/Drive Home the Mainlanders/The Mill House - The Battlefield Band, Martin, John
Rothesay Bay - The Battlefield Band, Traditional
Banais Choinnich (Kenneth's Wedding)/Eileen MacDonald/Welcome the ... - The Battlefield Band, Traditional
Sunset - The Battlefield Band, MacLennan, G.S.
Whiskey From the Field/Volcanic Organic - The Battlefield Band, Katz, Mike
In the 25 years since the release of its first album, the Battlefield Band has become something of a Scottish Celtic music institution. It's also undergone as many personnel changes as Spinal Tap. Time & Tide showcase... more »s yet another new lineup, with the sole remaining original member, keyboardist-accordionist Alan Reid, joined by guitarist Pat Kilbride, bagpiper Mike Katz, and fiddler player Alasdair White. However, it's such a seamless, enchanting disc of traditional Scottish music that you'd never know this was the quartet's first album together. The disc starts--as most Battlefield Band albums do--with a rollicking instrumental medley that neatly joins the traditional "Chuir I Gluin Air a Bhodach (She Put a Knee in the Old Man)" with three original compositions. From there, the band's mix of freshly arranged versions of traditional Celtic melodies with original compositions succeeds once again in showing respect for the Celtic tradition without turning the music into a museum piece. Indeed, the greatest joy of Time & Tide is how fresh the band sounds. Even a centuries-old classic like "Nancy's Whiskey" is given a lively new spin in Reid's arrangement. The other highlights here--like White's gorgeous fiddle work on the title track, the odd-metered and musically impressive "Banais Choinnich" (Kenneth's Wedding), and Katz's phenomenal bagpiping on "MacFarlane's Rant"--emphasize that, while the lineup may shift over time, the Battlefield Band hasn't lost its touch. --Ezra Gale« less
In the 25 years since the release of its first album, the Battlefield Band has become something of a Scottish Celtic music institution. It's also undergone as many personnel changes as Spinal Tap. Time & Tide showcases yet another new lineup, with the sole remaining original member, keyboardist-accordionist Alan Reid, joined by guitarist Pat Kilbride, bagpiper Mike Katz, and fiddler player Alasdair White. However, it's such a seamless, enchanting disc of traditional Scottish music that you'd never know this was the quartet's first album together. The disc starts--as most Battlefield Band albums do--with a rollicking instrumental medley that neatly joins the traditional "Chuir I Gluin Air a Bhodach (She Put a Knee in the Old Man)" with three original compositions. From there, the band's mix of freshly arranged versions of traditional Celtic melodies with original compositions succeeds once again in showing respect for the Celtic tradition without turning the music into a museum piece. Indeed, the greatest joy of Time & Tide is how fresh the band sounds. Even a centuries-old classic like "Nancy's Whiskey" is given a lively new spin in Reid's arrangement. The other highlights here--like White's gorgeous fiddle work on the title track, the odd-metered and musically impressive "Banais Choinnich" (Kenneth's Wedding), and Katz's phenomenal bagpiping on "MacFarlane's Rant"--emphasize that, while the lineup may shift over time, the Battlefield Band hasn't lost its touch. --Ezra Gale
Carol G. Katz | Oxnard, CA United States | 09/29/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"We just received this new BB CD and it is terrific. Their Soundman, Rob Van Sante, has done a remarkable job to produce twelve well balanced tracks. Your reviewer is right on; describing another new lineup but the same fabulous quality to which we've become accustomed. Pat Kilbride returns to the Battys with two great numbers (Camden Town and Whiskey). Alasdair White is the newest member and shows off his melodic fiddling as well as several of his own tunes. Alan Reid continues to impress followers of the group with his beautiful voice, rich keyboard sound, and new delightful songs with every new CD. Mike Katz continues to amaze us all with his brisk, rapid, and clear piping. His whistle playing continues to improve and a couple of tunes are chilling with chords of several whistles. Truly a fun, well balance, worthwhile album. Enjoy!"
OK - so I am an addict
Graeme J. W. Smith | Newport, RI United States | 12/09/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For those who are new to the Battlefield Band and wondering - This is a great representative selection of what this band is about - furthering Scotch folk music while recognizing the traditions. Just try it and see - and if you don't like this then perhaps think twice about other Scotch folk because this represents great modern tradition. If you want older tradition then try their 1977 album "The Battlefield Band" because they used to play the older stuff too - then go try the other 15 albums in between and you will get introduced to the great growth of a modern tradition. Your purchase of the 2002 Time and Tide might then grow back on you!For existing fans - Just saw their last gig of the 2002 tour of USA last night. They played most of this album and were tight and the usual TOTALLY crafted musicians. Sounds like I got a better night than the reviewer who saw them on a hot 9th July! Alasdair is a real asset on fiddle offering wonderful bowing with fresh perspectives with runs back into traditional sequences - He also plays bouzourki, whistles and GHBpipes too! As they meld on in their (now 25 year) existence the sleeve notes gleefully note - the band has been around longer than some of the present and past members! So for those used to them transmogifying their way along - this is a good one - go get it!"
At Their Best!
Giordano Bruno | Wherever I am, I am. | 10/09/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Other reviewers have already raved about this new Battlefield Band album. I'll simply reaffirm their recommendation. Time & Tide ranks close to Leaving Friday Harbor in its instrumental virtuosity. The song texts are perhaps a little less special than those of LFH, but the use of two male singers, each with his own emotional timbre, lends the album a lot of variety. No other group achieves such subtlety with pub songs and work ballads."
Still Going Strong!
tom_the_box | Lake Wobegon, MN USA | 09/26/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Despite undergoing yet another reincarnation, Battlefield Band continues to move forward in traditional (and sometimes not so traditional!) Scottish music. Whether they are playing the old, traditional tunes or their own original tunes, finding different adaptation of old songs ("Nancy's Whiskey"), or performing their own original songs ("The Bonny Jeannie Deans"), Battlefield Band continues to be at the forefront of Scottish traditional groups. The music of this band changes and grows each time the band grows and changes, and this album is no different: once again, they are exploring what it means to play the music as well as what it means to be Battlefield Band, and doing it a way that leaves their music truly accessible to all comers. From the contemplative "Time and Tide" to the near frenetic "The Walking Nightmare" to the just plain fun "Whisky from the Field", the band, with their varied instrumentations, shows exactly what it takes to be successful: a true love and devotion to the music. It is apparent that the band truly loves what they are doing and are having FUN. Too many groups have pigeonholed themselves into a specific genre, and while Battlefield is definitely true to tradition, they are not afraid to move past some of those artificial boundaries and explore the music for the music's sake. "Time & Tide" makes an excellent first Battlefield Band CD for someone who has never heard the group before. It also makes a great addition to anyone's current Battlefield Band collection."