Search - Alan Reid :: The Sunlit Eye: Songs and Music in the Scottish Tradition

A wonderful, gentle collection of songs

Cara L. Swenson | Federal Way, Wa | 06/22/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the first solo endevor of Alan Reid, long time member of The Battlefield Band. Reid has a light, gentle, tenor voice that is comforting to listen to and in the songs that he wrote for this disk are an exellent example of his talent. This disk has the feel of the more calm aspects of "The Battlefield Band", no suprise since most of the musicians are past or present members. The majority of the help comes from John McCusker who's fiddle work is great. The disk doesn't seem to have the same energy as a "Battlefield" recording does and "Love No More" (track 9) seems repeditive and to melencolly; however, the reast of the disk makes up for that. "Just A Boy" (track 4) is a good example of how good an Alan Reid song can be. It is simple and beautiful like my favorite Reid song "Jenny O' The Braes" ("Rain, Hail or Shine" Battlefield Band). There are also several songs that show a sence of humor. "The Million Dollar Sweetie" (track 5) is described as a swaggering march in the liner notes but it is hard to keep a straight face through the wistles and "Pinky, Porky and Jim" (the center song on track 8) is just silly. This is a great cd for those quiet times and a must have for any fan of "The Battlefield Band""