by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: Jimmy MacBeath & Davie Stewart
Album: "Two Gentlemen Of The Road"
Year produced: 2003

This is one of the more interesting things I have run across in a long time. "Two Gentlemen Of The Road" is part story, part music and part history. Many of you may already recognize the name Jimmy MacBeath, one of Scotland's beloved traditional singers. Well, here you get to know him in intimate detail. This CD doesn't just deliver song--although it does that as well--but rather seeks to capture a slice of what life was like back when.

The musical portions of the CD feature MacBeath and Stewart working together with voice and accordion, singing simple songs. Sometimes there is no accompaniment, just the voice calling out. There is something really neat going on here and it is very real, very touching.

The other part of the CD has tracks that are filled with stories and the recounting of personal history--spoken word. The listener almost feels as if they are present during the taping of a family history session. It is intimate and fascinating to listen to the stories and hear what has transpired through time here. It's a two-disc set, with the first detailing life on the road in all its gore and glory. Disc two discusses work and family, as well as a couple "tales."

I've never experienced anything like this before.

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Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among other magazines, and reviews music for Marc Gunn's Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her website at www.catherineltully.com.

Labels: cd_review_2008

Posted by Marc Gunn, Tuesday, March 11, 2008.
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