The Gab O Mey

Old Blind Dogs are among the most consistently satisfying of the current-generation Anglo-Celtic bands. The Gab o Mey is one more solid effort in the Dogs's already impressive catalogue. What makes the band especially appealing is its determination to eschew the pop gloss that has rendered other, once-interesting bands -- Solas, for one egregious example -- slick and soulless. Besides a pleasingly innovative use of rhythms, their principal bow to modern sound is in the inclusion of drums, which work well for the most part. The percussion is annoyingly intrusive only in the final cut, the venerable sailors' hymn "Rolling Home," which suffers as well from an unnecessary, and inferior, rewrite. It was simply a dumb idea to transform the song into a pirate ballad."Monymusk Lads" and "Bogie's Bonny Belle" are staples of the British folk revival, but they're great songs, and the Dogs do them justice. They also deserve credit for reviving Brian McNeill's engaging "Lads o' the Fair," from an early Battlefield Band album. Dog veteran Jim Malcolm's "The Wisest Fool" is another fine example of a modern song written to sound traditional.

I was afraid that the Old Blind Dogs would begin to falter after putting out two superb albums in "The World's Room" and "Fit" (I do not own their earlier material). This album shows that they are still in their musical prime.They blend tunes and songs with ease. Jim Malcolm's warm and expressive voice works as beautifully on mournful ballads such as "Bogie's Bonny Belle" as it does on more spirited numbers like "Moneymusk Lads" and "The Lads o' the Fair," the latter written by Brian McNeill and featuring gorgeous harmonies.Rory Campbell showcases his usual impressive piping. The highlight of the album is "The Breton and Galician Set," which shows Campbell growing as a piper by taking on the Galician gaita. The set also features beautiful interplay between Campbell's low whistle and Jonny Hardie's fiddle. The settings of the bass, guitar, and percussion (by newcomer Fraser Stone) all add perfectly to a stunningly beautiful and addictive set.Perhaps the one weak point of the album is Malcom's original song, "The Wisest Fool," with a rather bland, contemporary-sounding melody. But other than that, this is essential listening.

A soft-edged, pop-tinged trad album, which, despite the presence of conga drums and other dubious percussion touches, successfully manages to walk the fine line between the shrillness of "real" trad, and the synth-drenched excess of other modern crossover bands. For the most part, these Scots make pretty straightforward, enjoyable music -- it's maybe just a wee bit too sugary for me, but I'd still recommend this record to just about anyone looking for a nice, listenable new Celtic folk album. It's quite lovely, with flawless, soulful playing and several good tunes, particularly the vocal track, "Lads O The Fair." Check it out!

At the time of their appearance, this was the first album I got and their autographs too. I liked this group very much. Now things have changed with them but they are still Old Blind Dogs and their songs are still something to remember them by, this one is one of them.

I've been a fan of the dogs for eight years now, and I must confess, this is their worst album ever.What I loved about the Dogs was the haunting lyrical note they brought to traditional scottish folk. For example, the song The Rose and the Linsey O, from Legacy, builds in intensity and fervor as the woman first commits a henious act, and then is punished for it. It's a traditional song, but the urgency and the haunting melody that the Dogs gave to it brought it to life. Other songs that I adore: Hollis Brown, Twa Corbies, Johnny O' Braidislee.... and many more. It seemed, for many years, there was at least two great songs per album.Unfortunately, it seems the gensis of such beautiful haunting songs was Ian Benzie, their former vocalist who left before Fit? came out. And it shows. There wasn't a single good track on Fit, and the urgent thriving tone of the dogs has been replaced with a more traditional, bland band, where the lead vocalist is put above all the instruments instead of an equal fusion that the band had before.I have listened to this album and unfortunately, it is just as bad as Fit?. For those of you who love Legacy, or Close To The Bone, avoid this album, for it will only make you want to play Legacy one more time.

Rock groups should take a lesson from Old Blind Dogs. A change in percussionist from "Fit?" has not changed the sound of the group. The addition of Fraiser merely adds to the depth this group shows. "Monymusk Lads", "Wisest Fool", "Bonnie Bell" are what we have come to expect from the group. The instrumentals are infused not only with Scotland, you can almost feel the North Sea in your face, but also with the personality of each performer. If you own any of their other CDs, you NEED this one. I guarantee, after one listening, you'll be singing along with "Wisest Fool".

My title says it all - Another Super strong effort from a great Trad Scots folk band!Everything clicks here: songwriting, playing & singing, production... keep 'em coming Dogs!Can't wait for your next visit to the States

The NEW Old Blind Dogs are back with their smoooooooothest cd yet, and if you've only been a fan since "The World's Room" was released, then you will probably like it. But if you go back to the Ian Benzie/Davy Cattanach days, "The Gab O Mey" is more likely to send you back to the rack for classics such as "Five" or "Close to the Bone." Often sounding like a group of session musicians for talented lead vocalist, Jim Malcom, the Dogs' BARK is generally worse than their BITE on this effort...