Search - Old Blind Dogs :: Legacy

The last and arguably best of the classic Dogs lineup

John S. Ryan | Silver Lake, OH | 02/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As of their next CD (_Five_), the Old Blind Dogs had added a fifth member, and as of the one after that (_The World's Room_), both Ian Benzie and Davy Cattenach had departed the band (the latter for medical reasons). These later CDs are excellent too, but OBD listeners will want to grab this one while they can: _Legacy_ is the last and, in my opinion, the best of the four CDs released with the Dogs' classic four-member lineup.Vocalist/guitarist Benzie is in fine form here, alternately providing driving open-chord rhythms and gentle finger-picking accompaniment for intrumentals and ballads alike. The musical setting of "The Bonnie Earl O' Moray" is his own, and he is also clearly the driving force behind the haunting rendition of Bob Dylan's "The Ballad of Hollis Brown." Keep your ears peeled as well for his stunning work on "The Snows They Melt The Soonest" and "Tibbie Fowler." (The latter piece, by the way, is nicely merged with a Breton dance tune the fellows picked up somewhere and adapted as an instrumental break between verses.)Davy Cattenach is his usual percussive self -- and he really comes into his own on "The Birkin Tree," which is given a downright jazzy treatment. (Cattenach also forsakes his tablas and sits down at the drum kit to propel the tale of the Bonnie Earl, with beautiful results.)Jonny Hardie and Buzzby MacMillan are, as always, solidly reliable in all that they do (and I hereby request that on my deathbed I be permitted to hear the sweet sounds of Hardie's fiddle; he rivals the great Johnny Cunningham himself). The instrumental pieces on this CD will have you alternately dancing and weeping.Oh, and all of these guys sing, too; Benzie's husky and personable tenor is always in front, but the other three handle backing vocals. The four-part harmony is nicely done and used very effectively throughout.I should also call attention to the propulsive and infectious "The Lancashire Lads." This thumping bit of English folk seems to grab everybody who hears it -- my two daughters start dancing and singing every time it comes on, and in fact I had to make them their own recording of it.Fun for the whole family, then. If you enjoy Scottish folk music with a traditional sound and a modern edge, these four lads from Aberdeen have a treat for you."

Great percussion.

Conor Leahy | Colorado, United States | 06/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This one grew on me and soon became one of my most listened to CDs. More than some other Scottish and Irish groups, some of Old Blind Dogs' roots seem to come from British and American folk music as much as from traditional Celtic. I loved the use of percussion throughout, and "Hollis Brown" is one of the most chilling songs I've ever heard. I'll definitely buy more of this group's CDs."

Old Blind Dogs' Very Best Work

Just Read the Review | Madison, WI USA | 01/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own each and every one of the Old Blind Dogs' albums including four they made after this one, and this is the only one I've reviewed. Why? Because it is by far their best. The first time I played it, I was absolutely smitten, so I played it two more times in a row. My advice is this: if you are at all a fan of this group, or even of Scottish music in general, by this cd.Now I'll be more specific on what makes this one so excellent. This cd displays every characteristic of a good musical group: good melodies, great rhythms, creativity, variety, raw instrumental skill, and most importantly an incredible blending of sound from each group member to produce absolutely beautiful music. This group has always had great rhythm and percussion, and this cd only emphasizes that fact. Each song is a pleasure to listen to, not one dud on the cd. They are catchy, yet progressive and interesting to hear. This, in my opinion, is what separates this cd from the others the group has produced, because the others, though also very good, seem to have a lot of repetition in many of the songs which takes away some from the creativity and skill this band is capable of, but definitely not on this one. They've really managed to break through and find their character here. In fact, I think out of every album this band has made so far, this one most certainly defines the group as the very best Scotland, and maybe even all of Celtic music, has to offer. I can't get enough of it. The sound is rich, interesting, rhythmic, melodic, and vocally top-notch. Even the lyrics on those of the songs with vocals are magnificent in depth and artistry. You can't go wrong buying a cd by Old Blind Dogs, but this one tops them all!...so far...."